Thread: How to round off the edges of a Norton?

Hello Alll...

How can I round the edges of a Norton? sand paper? lapping stone? grits?


Thanks in advance for your help

For rounding off, grits don't matter, so here's my ranking of preference:
1) Lapping stone if you have it
2) 180 grit wet/dry for rounding off the corners and initial lapping before finishing on a finer grit.

Enjeux

Victor,

I've used sandpaper to round the edges on my Nortons. I several techniques: -Stick the sandpaper to a flat surface, as if lapping, then lift the stone so only the edge is on the paper. You can roll the edge around to round it nicely.
-Hold a smaller piece of sandpaper in one hand and rub just the edge.
-Stick a sheet of sandpaper to a flat surface, lay the stone on the paper, then lift one edge of the paper off the flat surface. This creates an angle in the paper, cupping the edge of the stone. Some light back and forth motions will help round the edge.

I'd second the recommendation to go with a coarse grit at first--I usually use 220 because that's what I have.

Josh

This may be a stupid question from a newbie, but what is the benefit to rounding the edges? Lynn did not talk about this in his DVD; however, it looked like at least some of his stones had rounded edges.

Not a dumb question at all. Rounded edges help keep you from accidentally screwing up the delicate razor edge on a sharp corner. Also, squared-off edges are more likely to break or chip than rounded ones.

Josh

I have a Norton lapping stone, how would you guys recommend I round off the edges with it?

Many stones come either with square edges which usually results in slightly chipped stones in shipping or 45deg. beveled edges which protect the stone but not the razor as you still have a sharp corner adjacent to the flat face of the stone.

Rounding is suggested for all stones and hones. I round all of the Thurnigens, etc... I sell in addition to the lapping and suggest doing it on the Nortons as well.

Tony

I have the lapping norton.....

Should I round the edge with the side of the diagonal lines, or with the back of the lapping stone?


I believe that if I do it with the side of the diagonal lines my lapping stone could loss some of its flatness

Thanks to all for your help

Use sandpaper. 220,600 and finish with 1000 grit or the finest you can find.

thank you...

I did it and the hone looks great......

Thanks a lot for your answers....