Thread: Norton 1B8

IMHO, Arkansas stones are not good for straight razors. I have all of them, even the tri hone carbo system, Several Translucents, Hard, soft, Surgical black, Washita, etc...
Now, they're great for knives, but as far as razors go, they would help you set a bevel or remove a chip. I'd have to agree with Bruce. If funds are tight and you need something for your razor, Get a Chinese 12k, Or, if you can afford it, The Norton 4k/8k combo, or Naniwa's.

Originally Posted by zib

IMHO, Arkansas stones are not good for straight razors. I have all of them, even the tri hone carbo system, Several Translucents, Hard, soft, Surgical black, Washita, etc...
Now, they're great for knives, but as far as razors go, they would help you set a bevel or remove a chip.

I have heard so many opinions from the opposing camps about Arkansas stones. Could you (or anyone else) please clarify how they are "no good" for razors? Are they "no good" in that they damage the blade somehow, more so than another type of hone or stone? Or are they "no good" in that they are less efficient than other stones? I mean, I understand that I need to supplement the stones I have with something more. I get it. But if it would be ok to set a bevel or hone out a chip with these stones, then it stands to reason that they are not totally "no good" in the aspect of damaging the razor, correct? Maybe I am looking at it from the wrong perspective. I have a few razors that have pretty extreme hone wear, but are usable. If I wear 'em down a bit by using this Arkansas, but refine my stroke a bit, then what's the harm? Losing a worn out razor is the least of my worries. BUT doing damage to a like new Wosty with no spine wear would be. I am not really interested in piling up a stack of hones, especially not a bunch of fancy newer ones. If I can accumulate some older stones that will allow me to get a consistent edge then I will be happy. I enjoy the notion of achieving a shave ready edge in the same manner as my Great Grandfather and Grandfather did. There are some people here who tend to gravitate to these Arkansas, and some who don't. I just don't really know what I have.

So, again, is the statement about Arkansas stones being "no good" for razors just a personal preference, or based on the use of said stones having a negative impact upon the longevity, functionality or enjoyability of the razor?


Thanks again for all of the info, guys!

Originally Posted by JeffR

Like the other fellows said, the Norton Crystolon/Medium India would be good for bevel setting - that is, for initial sharpening. The Arkansas stone looks to be a "hard" white. If so you'd be able to get a quite acceptable edge with it. Follow it with a pasted or linen strop and then a leather strop, and you would have all you need to maintain your razor.

If you want to go for an ultra-smooth shave, then there are a host of really nice "finishing" hones that would be just the ticket. (Not to mention being a lot of fun to play with.)

Cheers,
Jeff

By pasted OR linen you are saying that a pasted leather strop would be interchangeable with a linen strop? Or a pasted linen strop?

Originally Posted by blockhead

I picked up a Norton Combination India Oilstone marked 1B8 today with an aluminum base for a song. What grit would this stone be? Is this a keeper, and if so, where should it fall in the progression of honing?

Norton 8x2" combination India oilstone with oil 1b8p
The Norton 1b8, a premier quality sharpening stone made by the worlds largest manufacturer of abrasives

coarse 100 grit crystolon to remove blunt edges
fine 320 grit India to restore cutting edges
suitable for planes irons, chiselsand straight edge tools

Quoted from: Norton 8x2" combination India oilstone with oil 1b8p

I might be able to trade the Norton for a large Carborundum combo that the same guy has. I will have to see over the weekend if he still has it. I am really more concerned with the Arkansas and whether I can use it. I like the way it feels when honing, and think it cuts pretty well. I took a Genco that I have been sanding for a bit and drew the edge across the bottom of a beer bottle with quite a bit of force earlier. After a few minutes of the old back and forth with some mineral oil, I am able to cut forearm hairs with a bit of pressure.

I need to lap it I assume. I will try with some 3M 320 w/d paper, but should I use OIL or WATER? As it is an oil stone, will water work for lapping it or no?

Originally Posted by blockhead

By pasted OR linen you are saying that a pasted leather strop would be interchangeable with a linen strop? Or a pasted linen strop?

Sorry, I really didn't write that very clearly. Yes, what I meant to say, is that a pasted leather strop is interchangeable with a linen strop. Both are mildly abrasive, and act somewhat like very fine stones.

Just to be a bit more confusing, a pasted linen strop is indeed also an option.

If it's noticably dished out, you'll want to lap it. Water or oil will work fine, as well as a LOT of elbow-grease! Arkansas stones can be really, really hard. I used a 350 grit Smith's diamond sharpener (with water) to lap my hard white Arkansas stone, and darn near smoothed out the diamond plate!

<soapbox mode on>

Which tools people use to hone their razor seems to be more a matter of background, availability and personal preference. In my case, I learned from my father, who used Arkansas stones (he was from Arkansas), and finished with plain linen, so for me the choice is as much about staying in touch with how my grandfather and father did things as anything else.

An Arkansas stone won't damage a razor. If anything, since it's such a slow cutter, and burnishes as it cuts, it might be more difficult to damage a razor with it than modern abrasives. However, the modern stuff can be much more efficient and consistent in how they perform than natural materials.

I'd advise trying different things, and trust in your own observations and sensibilities.

<soapbox mode off>

Hope this is helpful,
Jeff

Originally Posted by JeffR

<soapbox mode on>

Which tools people use to hone their razor seems to be more a matter of background, availability and personal preference. In my case, I learned from my father, who used Arkansas stones (he was from Arkansas), and finished with plain linen, so for me the choice is as much about staying in touch with how my grandfather and father did things as anything else.

An Arkansas stone won't damage a razor. If anything, since it's such a slow cutter, and burnishes as it cuts, it might be more difficult to damage a razor with it than modern abrasives. However, the modern stuff can be much more efficient and consistent in how they perform than natural materials.

I'd advise trying different things, and trust in your own observations and sensibilities.



Hope this is helpful,
Jeff

Awesome. As long as I am not going to accelerate the wear to my razors with the oddball stones I plan to try using, then I am going to give them a shot. I will keep everyone updated on how the progress is going, and will have a multitude of questions as well.

This was not one of those "go to different Doctors until you get an opinion you like" threads, either. I really appreciate the views of people who have posted here, and have learned quite a bit. I just wanted to make sure that what I want to do was doable, although it might not be the way you would do it.

Thanks

Austin