Thread: I just got my Norton 4/8 now what ?

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

When I got my Norton 4/8 (a very long time ago) I knew nothing about lapping these things and I used it as is for quite some time before I lapped it and that was only because it started to become obviously off. Maybe I was lucky and got a good stone to begin with however I used it and saw no ill effects from not lapping it.

However, these days I'd be lapping it out of the box.

That was also when they were still being made in the states, IIRC after the production went south so did the quality. There is an old thread concerning this somewhere.

If you have a bit extra cash, I recommend picking up the coarse DMT 325 plate. It's perfect for lapping. I picked up one along with my Norton 4/8 and am so glad that I did. I use it every time I hone because its excellent at getting the black "swarf" marks off of each side of the Norton. Just a few figure-8's does the trick. Also ensures the hone is nice and smooth on each side. Definitely recommend. If not, the glass and sandpaper trick works too.