Thread: Norton 4000/8000 prep

OK I just got my first hone. A Norton 4000/8000. Is this all I need? Do I need to prep the hone before use? Was I supposed to also purchase a flattening stone?

I don't personally own one, but every post I've ever seen says to flatten it first.

All of the other waterstones I own have required it. Without exception.

I own a DMT D8C and it flattens a waterstone very well. The D8C has multiple uses, it can also be real handy for your household knives. Another way is wet or dry sandpaper 200 to 1000 grit on 1/4" plate glass or a marble/granite tile from someplace like Home Depot.

Yep, ya got to flatten it.
Remember to draw on the hone to be your guide for a flat surface.
Once the drawing is gone your hone is flat.
I should have gotten the Norton flattening stone when I got the wetstones, but I wanted to see the availibility and price of the DMT D8C.
Now I want to get the D8C. Just have to get off my butt and order it. I think the D8C is the better value as stated above.
Tom

Lord, if it's not one thing it's another. lol

OK, so you thing the DMT D8C is a better buy than the Norton flattening stone?

I'd say yes. You can do a lot more than just flatten stones w it.

It's pricier than the Norton flattening stone to be sure,
but it does a far better job of lapping and could have
other uses as well. The surface of the Norton is much
better after having been lapped with the D8C.

- Scott

Fine fine fine... You guys are killing me.. lol
The DMT D8C says its a course. Is this correct? Would it be fine to sharpen my kitchen knives with as well?

Originally Posted by Ron Gallant

Fine fine fine... You guys are killing me.. lol
The DMT D8C says its a course. Is this correct? Would it be fine to sharpen my kitchen knives with as well?

I like to finish, and sometimes even start, honing my knives on a 600 mesh fine. The coarse can set your knife bevels faster, and will give you a usable but slightly rough knife edge.

A current "knife thread", going into more detail, is here.

EDIT: to clarify the above, the coarse will give a perfectly usable edge that you can easily cut with. It just may or may not be sharp enough to shave your arm with (it'll be darned close).

Originally Posted by Sticky

I like to finish, and sometimes even start, honing my knives on a 600 mesh fine. The coarse can set your knife bevels faster, and will give you a usable but slightly rough knife edge.

A current "knife thread", going into more detail, is here.

So is that a yes or no one the DMT D8C??

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