Thread: Norton 4000/8000 prep

Originally Posted by Sticky

I wouldn't hesitate to use a knife honed only on a DMT coarse. Many times I have done just that.

Well than, that sounds like my best bet. Would you recommend any other stone or paste beyond the Norton?

Wet/Dry Sandpaper. Save good money for good razors and good strops. Lapping stones, optics, blah, blah, blah . . .

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Wet/Dry Sandpaper. Save good money for good razors and good strops. Lapping stones, optics, blah, blah, blah . . .

I think it should be said that I love this forum.

Thanks guys!!!

Now where to get a cheap DMT D8C.....

Try craftsmanstudio for the D8C, just look around.

Beyond the Norton you might want a finishing stone, fine barber hone, or a pasted paddle. Mostly a matter of personal preference.

When you start sharpening, mark your edge with a marker to easily see when you get the bevel to the edge. You might wanna use a magnifier to see it easily. Cheap photographer's loupe works for me. Lotsa' good posts already cover all those details.

Good Luck,

What about one of these? Dia-Sharp Stone 6" Coarse

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=226

I have the 3"x8" model (D8C). It will cover twice the surface area of the 6" model.

Your call.

It's also twice the price. Do you think this would effect stroping the hone in any way?

Twice the surface area means twice the diamonds available and more room to work the hone on. I prefer the larger size for flattening purposes.

If it was only for sharpening knives or razors I'd just as soon have the 2"x6". For flattening your Norton I would pick the 3"x8" by a wide margin.

But it's still your call...

Originally Posted by Sticky

Twice the surface area means twice the diamonds available and more room to work the hone on. I prefer the larger size for flattening purposes.

If it was only for sharpening knives or razors I'd just as soon have the 2"x6". For flattening your Norton I would pick the 3"x8" by a wide margin.

But it's still your call...

I knew you were going to say that.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Wet/Dry Sandpaper. Save good money for good razors and good strops. Lapping stones, optics, blah, blah, blah . . .

When I first read your post, Alan, I thought you were answering his question just above your post as to whether a finishing stone finer than the 8000 Norton side was recommended. I reread and understand you're suggesting he stick to wet/dry for lapping his Norton and not for polishing his edges.

IMO the extremely high grits of wet/dry needed for polishing edges is cost prohibitive fairly quickly. Even 2000 grit wet/dry is pricey let alone the grits on up to 12,000. I don't think you were suggesting polishing on wet/dry, but I thought I'd answer a potential question before it may end up being asked.

I really like your suggestion about concentrating on good strops to start out. As a newb who went off the deep end for hones, feeding a serious case of HAD, I have suggested to others more green than I that they master stropping first. A person simply can not shave with a straight razor without stropping effectively, but a person CAN shave without a hone provided they care for a keen edge.