Thread: Pockmarked Norton 4K

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Its fine, don't worry about it. Don't try and compare the 1K and the 4K by feel. You'll only confuse yourself. They don't feel the way they should by grit rating. Move to a 220 on the other hand and woe . . .

Without getting into complicated anti-overhoning theory those little pock marks may actually help you out a little.

That’s why I still use it I never seem to get a wire of the 4K, seems those little pock marks "sheer off" the wire… that may be a good thing

Originally Posted by Howard

Did you get this 4k8k within the last month new or is it older? Norton moved their 4k8k line to Mexico and started shipping in late December. The stones, packing, and shipping are better than they were when they assembled them in New Hampshire. As far as pockmarking is concerned, most stones will be pockmarked if you magnify enough. The real question is: does it finish a razor on the 8k side well enough that, with some stropping, it will shave you well?

Those stones are fired ceramic stones and Norton has a lot of quality control in place. Your stone is probably normal. If you really want to wring out the last bit of performance from your razor, use the 4k8k and then finish up on a belgian coticule. You will be amazed.

Got this stone Dec 23rd 07 (xmass gift to my self...lol) but it could be old stock, I didn’t order direct form Norton.
I must admit though after coming off the 8K (I don’t have a coticule) stropping the razor is pretty good shave even for my coarse beard.

In my opinion though the 8K is mirror smooth surface after a good lapping, I don’t think I can ask for a better 8K side.
On a good day a decent razor it will split and sometimes pop hair off the 8K before stropping.

I think I will give the 4K another chance. I will get a few ebay specials in need of a beveling or chip removal, hone them up and shave with each and decide if I will keep this stone or call Norton and get this replaced.

Thanks guys really appreciate your help, now I know where I stand with this stone, I will post back with my results.

Originally Posted by smythe

Thanks for the thread link, this is interesting... seems quite a few members have the same issue with the N4K
I can see the "pits" with my 40+yo eyes and while honing the blade there seems to be "rough spots" to one end like some of the grains are more tightly packed so I have been using the smoother parts (so I can say I have a sweet spot on the 4K).

There should be no "bad spots" or "sweet spots" on the hone. It should be uniform. I would give it one last heavy duty lapping, get some serious stock removal, and then if it is still bad then replace it.

Originally Posted by smythe

Hi, I am new here, been lurking for the past few months, relay glad I found this site. now I just have to ask a question, my post is long but please be patient.

Recently acquired Norton 4/8K and 220/1K hones, but I think the 4K is… well “not normal” I have some pix.

The first is the Norton 4K, the other for comparison is the 1K.
The 1K is smooth and blemish free but the 4K seems to have “pot holes”
I put one of those single edge industrial razors in the pix so you get an idea of the texture of the hone.
Even the camera couldn’t get good focus on the 1K because it so smooth but no problem with auto focus on the 4K as you can see.

I lapped the other 3 grits with no problems. Even tried a progressive lapping approach…. 600 grit -> 1000 grit -> 2k grit sand paper but this 4K is just stubborn. No matter what I do I can’t get it smooth. It will put a bevel on the razor (with a very jagged edge) but I feel it could do better.


The 1K is smoother to the touch than this 4K

Lately I have been thinking that I should “skip” the 4K and go straight to the 8K from the 1K when restoring a razor’s edge but that’s like skipping 3rd gear when driving stick shift.

Question: Is this normal for a Norton 4K or do I have a bad one.

Thanks for your help

My Norton 4000 side looks exactly like yours and performs just fine. I think the small recesses if anything else probably aid in catching/holding swarf. I definitely had to bevel all edges of the 4000 in addition to lapping to 2,000 grit wet/dry from a DMT 325 plate. I agree with you that the Norton 1000 is more uniform in grit/surface, but between my Norton 1000 I had (sold it) and my 4000 (not for long....went to belgian blue with my coticule and DMT 1200......look to BST post in the near future!) I would never say the 1000 surface feels smoother than the 4000. Looks smoother, yes. Feels smoother, definitely not. That's just my own experience with my own Nortons so I certainly can't speak for all.

At any rate, again, my 4000 looks absolutely identical to yours.

Mine looks exactly the same too, but I have had no problems with honing at all. I would give Norton a call and see what they say.

Please let us know what they tell you!

Best regards!

Hey smythe:

+1 on the identical to yours.
But still works like a charm.