Thread: Norton 8K problems

Everyone's correct. Norton's do require a lot of lapping in the beginning to remove the rough gritty surface. Sometimes, you need to remove 1/8 of the stone. Once done, it should feel smooth to the touch. Make sure you edges and corner's are chamfered as well. Sounds like the blade is hitting a spot on the edge. Once that's done, soak the stone for at least 30 mins prior to use, and run your fingers over the entire surface area of the hone, also down the edges and corner's. Make sure it feels smooth to the touch. If you find any rough spots, touch them up with your lapper of choice.

This is the only stone that I have used for razors. I lapped the stone well when I bought it. It feels smooth on the surface. I have been using 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper to flatten the stone. I thought some grit from the paper might be getting into the stone, but when I rub my finger over the stone it feels fine. I could try rubbing it with a 1200 King stone that I have. I thought the edges of the stone were OK, I'll check them closer.

Also there are some black spots that showed up on the 4K side. Is this normal?

Thanks for the replies

When you are using sandpaper you run a higher risk of embedding stray grit into the stone, You have to rinse it really well and use water or lap under water..

Using a green 3M pad after lapping can help also, but then you have to worry about the 3M fibers too..

When properly lapped , the Norton 8k is one of the smoothest feeling stones there is, so I suspect you need to lap it more for sure...

If you don't carefully wipe the blade after using the 4K side, you may be carrying stray grit over to the 8K side. Lap it again but keep everything very clean. It sounds like a few particles of stray grit.

I had this same problem with my old hone from another brand. Once you get it lapped right you're in business.
Kurt

What was said above is correct. As for the "black spots" , sounds like mold. Make sure you let the stone dry completely before you put it away. Best to let the stone sit on one of it's sides so the hone surfaces get enough air.

Originally Posted by Johnus

If it's not grit from lapping. It may be that you need to redo the edges of the hone. You may be hitting a spot on them as you move the razor and you're not perfectly flat with it.

Ps. for the price that Norton charges for a new hone it's Annoying that they can't have a better degree of flatness to it.

Otoh, for what 99% of all norton hones are used for, they are flat enough to start with.
And anyone with a bit of knowledge who uses them, knows he has to flatten them and refresh the surface regularly after using it.
So all in all the initial flatness doesn't really matter.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

When you are using sandpaper you run a higher risk of embedding stray grit into the stone, You have to rinse it really well and use water or lap under water..

Using a green 3M pad after lapping can help also, but then you have to worry about the 3M fibers too..

+1 ... Sometimes even a repeat lapping will remove any embedded particles. Key with soft stones like Kings & Nortons & even harder stones is not to use heavy pressure thinking the job will get done quickly. Harder you press with papers or loose grits on glass etc the more likely you will push a particle into the stone. Funny how most things with straight razors work best with light or no pressure.

+1 to all the above. Use a diamond stone, or some sandpaper with light pressure to lap it perfectly smooth, and you won't have problems with it. The 8k side feels very smooth to the touch and while honing too, if it is lapped correctly.