Quote Originally Posted by kamikazeproject View Post
Somebody told me once that the older ones didn't used to be like that; anybody know if there's any truth to that... and if there is, why they are now?
Mine is about 5 years old, so it probably wouldn't qualify as an "old" Norton, but the 4K was quite textured when I got it. It had sort a linear pattern on the surface and was fairly porous and granular once I had lapped off the very top layer. For what it's worth, mine predates the relocation of the Norton production facility to Mexico, so that doesn't explain it.

I really think that the issue is that honing razors is on the extreme end of what typically gets honed on a Norton stone so we are more sensitized to surface issues. More of a need to tune the tool for our use than it is an indication of a bad tool.

Lynn could shed the most light on this. I think he's worn out a couple of dozen 4K/8K stones and has probably noticed a few changes over the years.