Thread: some questions

ok well when i get back from iraq i plan to send my razors out to get honed but i do want to start honing myself, my questions are
1) what would be a good set up for honing, would i need more than the norton 4/8k stone?
2) from reading other posts i come to the conclusion that "lapping" is basically flattening the stone. how do you lap a stone?
3) any other info that will help would be greatly appreciated

thanks to all
dan

The setup you'll need really depends on
what you plan on doing. If it's to maintain
your own razors than the 4k/8k is the way
to go. If you plan on restoring razors you
will probably want something a little coarser
in addition to the 4k/8k, along the lines of a
Norton 1k or DMT1200 which I have. It
makes the work a lot quicker removing chips
or setting a bevel. Not to say you can't
do it with the 4k side, but it would take longer.
Some people just use the 4k/8k with great
results and some add a Chinese 12k or a Belgian
yellow coticule for that extra polishing. Then
of course there are the pasted strops you can
get to maintain an edge. I won't get into those
as I don't own any.

As for lapping a stone, you are flattening it. Norton
sells a flattening stone for $25.00 which I use on
my Norton 4k/8k. The flattening stone itself needs to
be lapped occasionally. You should also check out Josh
Earls tutorial on lapping a hone titled Hone Lapping 101.
Very good step by step information there. Hope this
helps. I would say the very least is the Norton 4k/8k. Stay
safe.

John

You will at least need some high quality sandpaper and a flat block, tile, or surface to lap and refresh the Norton. I use a DMT-C but if you are on a strict budget you can get by with the sandpaper. I would not recommend the Norton lapping stone because it leaves a surface on the Norton 4K and 8K that is much to course for my taste. The DMT leaves a very smooth finish that makes it easier to make the smooth strokes necessary for a sharp and smooth edge. Although the Norton is all you need, most people finish with higher grit pastes and/or finishing stones.

If you get a DMT D8EE and some 0.5 green chrome oxide (or 0.5 diamond) on leather or balsa, you'll never need to lap at all.

I also highly recommend JoshEarl's lapping tutorial.

Good Luck,

thanks for all the replys i found the lapping tutorial and checked it out, SOUNDS easy enough

now does anyone know were i can find a norton?

Howard who is a member here is
owner of www.theperfectedge.com.
Best price I've seen so far.

John