Thread: Learning Curve

Watch Lynn Abrams YouTube Videos. It’s not a big deal. You’ll pick it up. You’ll eventually develop a honing routine that works for you. It’s actually a pretty cool Hobby.

Im thinking of purchasing a Norton 4000/8000. I've watched lots of videos. One thing I'm uncertain about is how many laps on each side. Can someone tell me?

Its not the amount of laps. Some can come out good with 20 or 30, some times its 150. On those stones you must have bevel set first. Then your watching the scratches on the bevel to make them finer than the last stone. And the 8k normally takes less to change the scratches. Sight, sound and feel is what determins when to change stones. And that take practice and lots of learning. No counting is going to help determin anything.

And with a Norton, you need to add water every few laps. They just suck up water as fast as you can add it. Even after soaking the stone.

Originally Posted by alschepis

Im thinking of purchasing a Norton 4000/8000. I've watched lots of videos. One thing I'm uncertain about is how many laps on each side. Can someone tell me?

Totally dependant on the condition of the razor. Personally I use a jeweller's loupe to asses the edge & then use an arbitrary number of strokes to achieve what is needed OR you could google "pyramid honing" if doing numbered strokes is your thing. Another alternative would be to get some one on one time with an experienced honer.

Wow this sounds way too complicated. Maybe I better stick to sending my blades out

Originally Posted by alschepis

Wow this sounds way too complicated. Maybe I better stick to sending my blades out

I use a Norton 4000/8000 and follow up with a coticule or Vermio. I have a DMT 1200 to set bevels when necessary. Before I had my finishers, I used CrOx on balsa to fine tune the edges. It really isn’t brain surgery and it stops being intimidating after a lot of practice and repetition. Just start with a blade that hasn’t cost you a lot so youdon’t worry about wrecking something special.

Im not sure what "bevel setting" is

Consult the Library for information on honing terms:

https://shavelibrary.com/w/Bevel-set...y_and_practice

Originally Posted by Legman

Watch Lynn Abrams YouTube Videos. It’s not a big deal. You’ll pick it up. You’ll eventually develop a honing routine that works for you. It’s actually a pretty cool Hobby.

Originally Posted by DZEC

I use a Norton 4000/8000 and follow up with a coticule or Vermio. I have a DMT 1200 to set bevels when necessary. Before I had my finishers, I used CrOx on balsa to fine tune the edges. It really isn’t brain surgery and it stops being intimidating after a lot of practice and repetition. Just start with a blade that hasn’t cost you a lot so youdon’t worry about wrecking something special.

Good advise here. Get the 4/8 combo Norton. NOT the thirsty single stones.
Keep it in water. Get a diamond plate to flatten it and maintain it from there.

Then, get Lynn's old DVD. Priceless stuff.
Learn his pyramid and make it your own by experimenting here and there.
Soon, you will be able to tell when it's time to move on.
Or, stay with a pyramid. If in good shape, the 4/8 Norton will get you there over and over.
JMO.

It is not an impossible feat for certain. Some love it and others prefer to send their blades out. If you can go to a meet you can play for free and get hands on instruction, and if you decide not to pursue it, you have lost nothing and likely gained a new friend or two.