particles on a 4k

over the last day, i have noticed that either my spine or edge feels like it is catching a small particle on my 4k. i lapped this on 600 wet/dry a few weeks ago, then again last weekend on maeglin's norton lapping stone.

using a small micro pick, i found the crystal like particles and popped them out without damaging the stone. i then went on to get a good shaving edge on a razor that was giving me fits. actually, due to the particles, it put a few micrchips that i had to get out :rant:. but i got them out and honed it up.

so where the hell did they come from? the sandpaper? the flattening stone? i also use a nagura stone for the slurry, but up till now had not noticed this before. they were clear, really difficult to see and find, but they affected my edge. bastards.

any thoughts?

vgod

I also have one of these stones and found the same problem with the 4k side. Feels like speed bumps in the road...not good for sharpening a razor. After lapping the 4k side several times its better but not good enough for my razors. I purchased a Spyderco Medium and have found its works a lot better than my 4k stone.

I really like the 1k and 8k stones and had no problems with them. After I hone with the Spyderco M, I go onto the 8k Norton and then to Spyderco UF. So far I am pleased with the results.

I have worked a few old kitchen knives on the Norton 4k just to see if the grit lumps will come out of the stone. They haven't yet.

T

I bought a set of single grit nortons a couple years ago and had no problems. I bought another set a few months ago. Two of them, the 4k and 8k were labeled as made in Mexico. The other two, a 220 and a 1k had no country of origin stamped on them. Despite lapping on both a DMT 120 and 325, I have had sporadic problems with hitting grit in both the 4k and 8k. I re-lap with the DMT 325 under running water before every honing session and I still sometimes encounter this problem, most often with the 4K.

Under the microscope, there is a big difference between my original and my Mexican 4K. The Mexican one seems to be made of the same material but it has a lot more holes/gaps within its structure. It's similar to comparing white bread to course ground whole wheat bread in appearance.

Sounds like they have done what everybody else is doing these days. Out sourcing the work to the overseas slave labor countries and then expecting you to pay good American money on foriegn made crap.:rant:

Just got mine about a month ago. Same story 1k and 8k are fine but occasionally the 4k gets gritty:rant: I'm savin for some Shaptons.

mine is one of the newer mexico hones. dang it.

vgod