Thread: is it smart to blunt the edge of Norton Water Hones?

Originally Posted by Disburden

If you're talking about the Norton 4/8K, you need to lap it a lot to get the white side very smooth to hone razors. Other wise the surface is rough to the razor's edge. When you do this also round all the hard angles on the stone, the top edges and round the side edges also so the razor doesn't hit the edge which will counteract your honing.

Hmmm... Does this mean that the flattening stone for Nortons is too coarse? I just picked up one from Lee Valley for my 4000/8000 (the $28 flattening stone with diagonal slats) but the grit is coarse and I am worried that it will leave the surface rough. I should add that when I bought the hone it came lapped flat and smooth.

Should I take it back?