Thread: Norton Hones

Indeed good advise from JimmyHAD. I recommend the 1k "brick" and the 4000/8000 combo with a DMT 325 to flatten. The 1k is the softest of the Nortons and it is really nice to have 2 sides to work with as it needs flattening more often than the others. I DO think the 325 is too agressive in it's newer state for flattening Nortons. I prefer a worn-out one for this purpose. You might use the Norton flattening stone for a while, flattening it with your new DMT(and using the DMT on chips, etc) until it is worn considerably. Then it will be ideal to flatten the nortons for practically a lifetime. At that time, get a new DMT for those other nasty chores. This has worked well for me.

I started out with the same set. Fortunately, my flattening stone was ok. I did wind up buying a DMT C down the road anyway, and a few more. It's a great set.

Strops: A lot of guys cut their first strop. You may want to practice on an old belt, or something cheap at first. The modular paddle is a great tool, but I prefer a hanging strop for daily use.

For pastes and sprays, the modular paddle is the way to go. You can also check out Tandy leather, if there's one by you. They have leather for making belts that's great for strops, hanging and paddles. Check this link: https://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/.../4523-190.aspx

Now, if there's a store by you, they normally let you go through their scrap bin. You always finds long strips of leather that's perfect for making paddles or hanging strops, if your so inclined. It's cheap, so if you cut it, no biggie, you have more...Also, I've found the staff at those stores extremely helpful, tell them what your doing, and they're usually glad to help....YMMV.

Once you get proficient at it, then buy yourself a nice strop...

Good luck....

I have both norton combos and the lapping plate. I also have the modular paddle.

The 1k stone isn't as talked about as some others but seems to work. I can set a bevel quickly on a neglected vintage razor

The 4/8 is great. Fast, effective and a pleasure to use.

The lapping plate works but IMO it leaves too rough a surface on the hone. I used it for months before switching to the dmt. I prefer the surface left by the dmt

I keep the modular paddle on my bench. I use it after honing. I keep a hanging strop upstairs for daily use.

Michael

Originally Posted by zib

I started out with the same set. Fortunately, my flattening stone was ok. I did wind up buying a DMT C down the road anyway, and a few more. It's a great set.

Strops: A lot of guys cut their first strop. You may want to practice on an old belt, or something cheap at first. The modular paddle is a great tool, but I prefer a hanging strop for daily use.

For pastes and sprays, the modular paddle is the way to go. You can also check out Tandy leather, if there's one by you. They have leather for making belts that's great for strops, hanging and paddles. Check this link: https://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/.../4523-190.aspx

Now, if there's a store by you, they normally let you go through their scrap bin. You always finds long strips of leather that's perfect for making paddles or hanging strops, if your so inclined. It's cheap, so if you cut it, no biggie, you have more...Also, I've found the staff at those stores extremely helpful, tell them what your doing, and they're usually glad to help....YMMV.

Once you get proficient at it, then buy yourself a nice strop...

Good luck....

I do want to get a hanging strop for daily use as well. I want to use the modular just like you said for pastes and sprays. My neighbor is a carpenter and he said he could make me a four sided paddle all I would have to do is purchase the wool and leather. If i do it this way it would only be a few bucks and i wouldnt have to worry about cutting the strop. There is a Tandy a few miles from where I live I'm probably gonna head over this morning and see if I can find anything in the scraps. Do I want the leather as natural as I can possibly find it?

Originally Posted by mjsorkin

The lapping plate works but IMO it leaves too rough a surface on the hone. I used it for months before switching to the dmt. I prefer the surface left by the dmt

Something that I think that is sometimes overlooked is that we (Straight Razor Users/Honers) are the Vast Minority in that probably 99.9% of all sharpening devices are NOT designed for Straight Razors! They are for knives, woodworking etc.

We are adapting these various devices for Our Own Needs not what most were intended to be used for. When Norton designed the lapping stone straight razors weren’t even in the development formula!

With all this said, I think that overall we’ve done a damn good job of figuring out how to use what’s available to our advantage!! hehehe

Originally Posted by HHA

I do want to get a hanging strop for daily use as well. I want to use the modular just like you said for pastes and sprays. My neighbor is a carpenter and he said he could make me a four sided paddle all I would have to do is purchase the wool and leather. If i do it this way it would only be a few bucks and i wouldnt have to worry about cutting the strop. There is a Tandy a few miles from where I live I'm probably gonna head over this morning and see if I can find anything in the scraps. Do I want the leather as natural as I can possibly find it?

Yes, leather as natural as you can find it. Avoid leather from fabric stores, as it's probably been treated with something to make it more suitable for upholstery. Something plasticky or waxy.

Lay out your candidate pieces on a glass countertop or other smooth surface, and run your hand over them to make sure the thickness is consistent. You don't want a little hill in your stropping surface.

For fabric stropping surfaces, you can use denim. See if you can find wide linen ribbon or belting, though. Real linen is nice stuff to strop on.

Look at some paddle strops online. Most of the multisided ones have some sort of cushion layer beneath the actual stropping surface. Could just be folded fabric.

Good luck with this project, it sounds fun.

Originally Posted by mav13

Hey

I have the same stones and you cant go wrong with the Norton stuff. I have used them and put good edges on a few razors. As far as the lapping stone if you can afford it get a DMT dia-sharp 8C. It made lapping the stones a breeze and before I use the hones I give them a quick few figure 8's and good to go!. Check out Glen's videos to see the whole process in action.

Happy Honing mate

Chris

Im gonna go ahead and look into that. The DMT plate isn't Rediculously expensive.

The norton 4/8K hone is the most priceless piece of equipment I own, I would never sell it and would buy another if I needed to right now.
I can't say that about any other hone I own, even Japanese naturals, coticules, etc...

Originally Posted by Disburden

The norton 4/8K hone is the most priceless piece of equipment I own, I would never sell it and would buy another if I needed to right now.
I can't say that about any other hone I own, even Japanese naturals, coticules, etc...

My Norton 4k/8k is my only stone I tried to replace with about 4 sets of stones so far, but never succeeded. I will rebuy my 4k/8k Norton the fourth time, I like it that much.

Alright I picked up my stones at a woodworking supply. I got the Norton set plus a DMT 8C. Pretty soon here im gonna lap the stones for the first time. Any recommendations on lapping them right?