Norton Hones

[HHA]

So after a few days of research I have come up with what I think is a good combination of hones and strop to begin with. I have looked online and found that Norton sells a set of 3 stones, a 220/1000 combo just incase I need to set a bevel, a 4000/8000 for finer honing and a Lapping stone. I decided to go with this kit because it seems pretty affordable. From what I have read the lapping stone has gotten mixed reviews. I did look at a video on YouTube in which Lynn Abrams shows the modular strop and it looks pretty good. This is what I am starting out with so any sort of help before I dish out the cash would be very helpful. Any criticism on this setup I'm trying to start with would be great. Thank you.

[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

[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....

[HHA]

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?

[roughkype]

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.

[HHA]

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.

[holli4pirating]

Just keep in mind that the lapping stone, like any other stone, will itself need to e lapped now and then, and also probably before it's first use.

The Norton set is a good way to start, and indeed a good set forever. You'll probably want to add another, finer hone later on, but I would recommend waiting until after you can get good shaves off the 8k. Otherwise, there is no point in going any finer.

As for the strops, modular vs hanging is personal preference. I am inclined towards hanging for regular use, though I did play with a modular and that was fun.

[HHA]

Just keep in mind that the lapping stone, like any other stone, will itself need to e lapped now and then, and also probably before it's first use.

The Norton set is a good way to start, and indeed a good set forever. You'll probably want to add another, finer hone later on, but I would recommend waiting until after you can get good shaves off the 8k. Otherwise, there is no point in going any finer.

As for the strops, modular vs hanging is personal preference. I am inclined towards hanging for regular use, though I did play with a modular and that was fun.

What would be a good way to lap the lapping stone.

[cudarunner]

Personally I use the DMT 325 and NOT the Lapping Stone. It’s such a universal tool!! You can use it to make slurry, flatten your stones, remove chips and frowns or otherwise change the edge of your razor! It’s well worth the money!

Once you get the DMT 325 I doubt that you will use the Norton Lapping Stone for anything but a paper weight!

If you get the Norton 4/8 get the two universal stone holders and the DMT 325, I skimped at first and only got one holder thinking that it would be enough. Boy was I wrong!! Get the two!! Trust me!

Smooth Shaving My Brother In Blades

Gute Rasur /glatte Rasur, mein Bruder der Klinge

[carlmaloschneider]

What would be a good way to lap the lapping stone.

You DO realise you've got to lap the thing you use to lap the lapping stone, don't you? And that itself also needs to be lapped...

I was lucky enough to be given a Norton lapping stone, wasn't I, Chris? :-)

I lapped my Norton 4/8 on the weekend, only about the third or second time I've done so. It took my about 1/2 an hour to remove the pencil grid; I'm sure it'd be faster with a better lapping plate, but it didn't kill me. I was pretty happy with the flatness after that. Certainly it's much better than the really cheap one I had prior to that.

Like Glen says, that thread is really good. It's a lot to read, but well worth it. I was one of those that really had no idea what I was doing. What I loved about that project is that is focussed me, made me document what I did, and really supported me in learning from the experts in a close, friendly manner. It was really, really fun; one of my best moments on the site.

I really think Glen and Lynn and all those others are so valuable to us all. Imagine doing all this by yourself? For me, it'd be an absolute disaster.