Thread: To our Honemisters on site

Norton Waterstones - Peachtree Woodworking Supply
Do you guys think this # 298 set would be a good set with the exception of buying a 10000 or 12000 for an extra fine finish ? Thanks for any feedback.

I'm no honemiester by any means...
But the norton 4k/8k combo was the first hone I bought, then I got a 1k.
I've since aquired a coticule and bbw, along with a barbers hone.
That set there looks like a decent value for what you get and the norton stones are pretty consistent...thats my 2cents fwiw

Now I may get a great deal of heat for this...

Just a quick set of history on what i have had. I did the Norton 220/1000, 4k, 8k. I learned on that. Then when the shapton on glass came out..I jumped and bought the 1k/4k/8k/16k.

Now...I have a very nice coticule. I still use the 1k to set any bevels that need to be set, but i pretty much stick to the coticule for any refreshing/honing that needs to be done that doesnt need bevels started. Now you can create a bevel with the Coticule, but it would take forever. Today, I just took a Livi not shaving me well and created a bevel using the 1k Shapton...then finished it up using the Dilucot Method using my Coticule.

So thats what I would do ultimately.

Great first set of hones...I still use my Nortons today. Consistent dependable results..
Lynn Abrams uses them, and you can see it on his Video...

I don't recommend Coticules, even though I was/am a Coticule vendor to novice honer's...The results vary from hone to hone, and I'm sure you have no idea what a "Dilucot" method is...Sh*t, I don't know what a Dilucot is....I hear these terms, but no one ever explains them....

There are too many variables with Coticules...They can be great finisher's, but I think you'll be very happy with the Norton's. You can always add a 12k finisher later...

Definitely a great kit to start with. You probably won't use the 220 much, but the 220/1k is so much less expensive than the solid 1k hone...

Nortons are tried and true, and you can't go wrong with them. Also, you should be able to get a very good shave off the 8k - everything finer is just the icing on the cake. Shaving off the 8k is a very good way to benchmark your edges; there should be no pulling and no discomfort. If there is, finer hones won't fix that for you.

I recently bought that same set from Peachtree and could not be happier with it. Ok, that's a lie, I would be happier if it came with instant honing skills but I guess I have to earn those. Anyway I really like the stones, especially that 4k, love the feel of that hone, don't know why. Oh, mine came with a really nice honing tray too. I did add a DMT D8C for lapping too, seems to work better than the Norton lapping stone. But it wasn't neccesary.

Yeah this one comes with that 17 1/2 x 12 1/2 tray also, Thanks I will be ordering it shortly, got a few more razors coming this week from the bay and I'm sure I will need the stones to fix em up.

+1, definately a good kit to go for. Pre Naniwa/Shapton hones the Nortons were the go-to set up for most honers.

Coticules are great stones and make good finishers but I wouldnt recommend them as a first hone for a new guy, as Zib says. They vary from stone to stone and the slurry throws in a whole new dimension as well.

The Nortons though are known and consistent from stone to stone. It makes it much easier for us to give advice to you about them and it makes it easier for you to know what result you'll get from each stone.

Good luck and let us know how you get on!

Seems like a good price. Amazon is asking a lot more for the same thing. Highly recommended with the exception of the lapping plate included. Either 325 grit wet&dry paper or the DMT D8C would eventually serve you better as the norton lapping plate may not be flat. If it is chances are it won't stay flat with use.

Originally Posted by zib

…and I'm sure you have no idea what a "Dilucot" method is...Sh*t, I don't know what a Dilucot is....I hear these terms, but no one ever explains them....

Dilucot is explained here:

Dilucot honing method - home of the famous Belgian Coticule Whetstone

Regards,
tok