Thread: dumping the norton

Originally Posted by jnich67

Matt, I don't know how long you've been honing, and I'm no expert, but you might want to think about hanging on to your Norton - even while you check out other stones. A couple of times I thought I wanted to replace the Norton as my go to stone (especially after reading so much chatter around here ) - only to come back to it when I ran into difficulties. If you don't touch it for a year, then get rid of it. Just a thought.

Jordan

YES Jordan !.....I absolutely "ditto" that ! ! ! !

I haven't shaved off a DMT 8EE but when you run it over diamond pastes and then Chromium, I get very good smooth shaves.

Later,
R

I like the Shapton 4000 and 8000 ceramic on glass stones. No soaking, harder surface, agressive yet so far for me neither stone is turning my edges into overhoned messes. They work better for me than the Norton 4000/8000 did overall. Not as easy to do pyramids though since they're separate stones. I don't do pyramids at this point so it's not an issue for me; Not saying the pyramid is bad, it's just something I got away from but may go back to in the future. It's all about experimentation, baby!

Chris L

Originally Posted by Chrisl

I like the Shapton 4000 and 8000 ceramic on glass stones. ... Not as easy to do pyramids though since they're separate stones.

Why don't you try gluing them back to back?

If I were to dump the Norton ?????
I would have to either go all natural, with the blue & yellow and a natural high grit polisher....

Or I would switch to the full line of Shapton's 1k 4k 8k 16k & 30k

Since I am already familiar with the Shapton 16k and love that stone I would be slightly bias in that direction...

Of course this just a hypothetical question right????

FWIW, I like the results I have gotten from the DMT8EE. The hardness of the steel does tend to make it rough, but I have found that making the soapy water a bit soapier helps. Lately, I have been taping the spines, and that has improved the feedback significantly.

I have never shaved off it; I always finish on a UF or strop.

I did the opposite and picked up a Norton thinking I was missing something. I have not given up on it yet, but I will probably end up selling it.

When I started lapping my Nortons before every honing session, with 1000 grit, the effectiveness really improved.
try that before giving up on them. The Tam O'Shanter with slurry, approx 6000 grit, is an ideal stone to use after the 4k.
For me anyway. YMMV.

I have replaced my Norton 4Kx8K with a full set of Shapton Glass and have not regretted it. I have been using them about a month now and am really impressed. They cut the harder steel of blades like Clauss, Tory, Helji and others way better than the Norton. Don't get me wrong, I am not bad mouthing the Norton because it is an excellent hone and gets the job done. I just think the Shaptons are a cut [pun] above because they are faster, smoother and feel the same from the lower grits to even the 30K.

bj

I'd hang onto the Norton until I was sure I liked it's replacement better.

I personally prefer the DMT because I like it's out-of-box flatness and convenience of use. They do need a little breaking in (lap something with it).

If you always finish up with your Swaty, then the finished shaving edge should be much the same either way.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Why don't you try gluing them back to back?

Nev-ah!!!

I'm keeping those beauties stock.

Really though, it wouldn't hurt anything. If I honed using the pyramid progression, now that I think about it more, maybe I would actually consider some double faced tape or something. You may be on to something there, Bruno without intending to!

Chris L