Thread: crack in Norton 4/8

I dropped my Norton on the floor causing a slight crack at one end of the stone.. Ill post some pics later looks like the crack is pretty deep into the stone.. and way to fix the crack or just avoid that part of the Stone.

Without pics its hard to say exactly what the damage is, but generally if its cracked then its cracked and thats it. You cant really glue them because the glue will catch on your edges, aside from the fact that they're hard to glue anyway what with the constant wet/dry/wet from use and synthetic materials.

Dependent on where the crack is you may be able to use the remainder of the stone and just avoid the crack.

Another option is to cut the stone down into a mini "barber hone" and sling it in your dop bag as a touch up hone when you're travelling, and then pick up a new 4/8 when you can.

I feel your pain, my first set of hones was 1/4/8/16k Shapton on glass (which are still my favourite stones now by the way ) and I dropped the 8k in the sink the very first time I lapped it and smashed the glass. Bit of a fail! :-/

Good luck and keep us posted!

Originally Posted by Stubear

Another option is to cut the stone down into a mini "barber hone" and sling it in your dop bag as a touch up hone when you're travelling, and then pick up a new 4/8 when you can.

Could this be done by getting the cracked/roughed up side and rubbing it flat against some wet dry sandpaper?

I cut my stones with a bandsaw. Makes a nice straight cut line.

Cut I cut it and use it as a slurry stone or just may avoid that section of the stone

If you can feel it with your nail, there is a problem, and follow any of the above steps. If not, keep using it as if there was no crack. Those situations are pretty common, especially on natural stones. So, if you can feel it, then, there is a problem. If not, it's more of an aesthetic defect, that doesn't necessarily affect honing. Also, try honing on the stone like there was no crack. If you see an actual difference in performance, then, there might be a problem. If not, then, keep using it, and, just don't look at the crack. Looks can be deceiving, and nortons are not the most beautiful stones that exist anyway. So, hone, and, then tell us what you think.

As Vasilis said, if the crack is felt it needs to be avoided. Lap the stone and lightly hone a razor on it. If you can feel the crack through the feedback from the edge it is to be avoided. If you cannot feel it, it is inconsequential. Since it is a glued stone, the 4k to the 8k, it should be stable.