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I am wondering if i can get by with just the norton 4/8 k then leather strop ,i would rather get the Naniwa set but cannot afford them,so i guess the question is if i get the norton 4/8 can i go straight from the 8k to the strop or will i need to get some chromium oxide?
There is always the 3/8K Naniwa combo hone to consider.
Bob
One of the experts will chime in soon, but from my experience it becomes a personal, subjective choice. The standard seems to be several laps on Crox then linen and leather. Some have had good shaves just going from 8k to linen/leather. It always comes down to trying various methods till you find the one that works for you. And as far as the Nortons go, those have been the standard for honing for a very long time. The only difference I can tell between the Norton's and the Naniwa's is you don't have to soak the Naniwa's.
Get some Crox and give it a whirl. You're probably gonna want some Crox (or similar) sooner or later, so give it a try. I think your honing skills will be a larger part of the equation. I've got a Nani 12K you can borrow if you want. We could do a honing session if interested.
I went for the Norton 4k/8k combination stone for my first stone last month. You only have to soak the 4k side, 8k needs just a sprinkle.
It cost an arm and a leg importing it in from the US and I had to contend with eBay's global seller programme nonsense but the stone itself feels nice and I've turned a Western straight and a kamisori from dull to shave okay on the 8k... and I'm a novice :)
I cannot speak for anything else or anyone else but I am very pleased that I bought my Norton 4k/8k as my first stone.
A logical step that works with what you have, would be to the Naniwa 12K. You won't need to buy the set. You'll learn the 4/8k JaNorton and add in the graceful Nani 12K. :)
Thanks for the help,and yeah ozarkedger i might pm you some time about that:)
I used a Norton 4/8 combo then leather for about a year. I was able to get a good enough edge to have a comfortable shave. I added an arky to finish with but it wasn't needed I just wanted it. Fyi I have a wiry beard and skin that is the polar opposite of sensitive, that may play a role in the comfort part
Get the Norton 4/8 by all means. As has often been said on here, the 8k edge is a good benchmark. You don't need anything else until you are getting consistently good shaves off that 8k side. That's how many of us got started. Many will then add the wonderful Nani 12, CrOx, etc. to refine their edges even further. Beyond that, you don't really need anything. It's just a matter of how much you want to spend on this hobby.
I think the 4/8 Norton is what everything else is compared too. Get the basics learn the basics. Many don't and have a great time learning and shaving thinking they got it all together. What they don't know isn't hurting them :<0)
i think its a good start with 4000/8000 and i think you can get a shave ready with it, sometimes i set a bevel with 4000 norton.
good luck!!!
The norton is a great stone.. But to me the most important stone is my bevel setter. U can set a bevel wiith a 4 k sure it will take a good amount. Of time.. I would invest in a great bevel setter like a chosera 1k before I would look at a finisher.. The 8k Right to a pasted strop and then linen and leather will serve u Well. If funds are tight why not get some lapping paper to finish on like a 12 k lapping paper.. For a few bucks u can get some sheets to last u along time..just till u get ur feet wet
I thought this was a pretty good offer for a starter set.
Norton Waterstone Starter Kit: 220/1000 grit stone, 4000/8000 grit stone, SiC flattening stone: Sharpening Stones: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
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As a total newbie I offer be careful. I borq'd my stones in a matter seconds not knowing what I was doing or understanding what I was working with. It took me the next two days of lapping to clean the damage up. I learned the hard way to let the stone do the work for they gouge very easily. :aargh:
For ever on the learning curve, sometimes the hard way but, loving every minute of it. :y
Yup, it is all you need.
4k Norton will set a bevel in probably 40-60 laps on previously honed razor. An 8k will easily touch up a razor in fewer laps, 20-40 and with plain old linen and leather give you a fine shaving edge.
You can add a Chrome oxide paddle strop, a 3 in piece of veg tan leather glued to a flat piece of wood and lightly coated with Chrome Oxide and that can give you a very nice, keen, comfortable edge. Chrome Oxide is about 30k grit.
But for efficiency, low cost entry and long term maintenance the 4/8k Norton is all you need.
Understand that the Norton pair was the go to set when this forum began. A lot of people honed a lot of razors with those hones so they are well understood and you can get a lot of help and advice regarding the use of the Nortons.
There is going to be a Missouri mini meet-up coming up soon. It might be worth the 3 hour drive to go there and meet up with a few people with more than a few hones.
I have been shaving with the 220/1K/4K/8K combo for about a year, I then got the welsh slate from AJ to finish and have stopped using Crox/Irox. There is a stack of info on here about the Nortons and they are consistent, these were my primary reasons for starting with them.
thanks for the input i went ahead and ordered the Norton 220/1000 4000/8000 set with the lapping stone:)
Mburk5,Quote:
Originally Posted by Utopian
This is really good advice. At the minimum meet up with Ozarkedger . These guys can teach you a lot. Best would be to pick up Ozarkedger and take him to KC with you.:hmmm:
Yeah i seen that,would love to be able to go to one of those,too bad my weekends for the next few months are shot:(
The Norton lapping stone is notorious for not being able to properly lap your other stones without being flattened itself. Do that before screwing up your other stones!
Would 320 grit wet dry sandpaper work to flatten the lapping stone?Quote:
Originally Posted by Splashone
I'm sure it would providing the surface for the paper is flat
Why not just lap the stone with the 320 wet & dry and forget the Norton Lapping plate?
They really are a waste of money.
If you are going to hone seriously, buy a diamond plate, make your life easy and stones flat.
The lapping stone came in a set at a discount,got 220/1k 4k/8k and the lapping stone for what the 4k/8k cost by itself,on a budget the diamond stone is a bit out of range right nowQuote:
Originally Posted by Euclid440