Thread: Help with contaminated Norton 4K/8K

Hi, I recently got serious about honing and bought a Norton 4K/8K from Executive Shaving in the UK. When I realized that it wasn't flat, I also ordered the Norton lapping stone and prep stone from Howard, which won't arrive for several weeks. In the meantime, I'm lapping on a marble countertop with abrasive paper. I live in Italy and I asked the man at the hardware store to recommend an abrasive paper for that purpose: on the back it says "Imperial WOD P600". Is this good?

Second problem: There is obviously metal, or something, embedded in both the 4K and 8K side. On the 4K side, contact with the razor makes a horrible metal-shredding sound. I don't think I had this before I started lapping. Could it be contamination from the abrasive paper? Also, the lapping doesn't seem to touch metal residue in the center of the stone. The 8K side is very smooth but there are one or two points where I am obviously hitting something because there is a rather loud "ting!".

So, my question is. Can this stone be saved by using the Norton lapping stone or some other techique and if so, how much work should I expect to have to do?

If that was my Norton, I'd contact Executive Shaving to work out a return. If they didn't work with me, I'd contact Norton directly. That's an odd symptom to me, why should I spend time troubleshooting a new item

Maybe someone knows an easy solution?

wet/dry paper from an auto supply store... 1000 grit will work mark the nortorn with pencil lines and work it until they are all gone. then repeat the second time should be real quick.

as for the screech... are both the spine and the edge resting on the hone?

when new or lapped sharpen something like a chisel or plane on it the first time that will make sure the cutting surface is good and that also works for diamond hones.

also did you soak your nortons first?

Originally Posted by syslight

wet/dry paper from an auto supply store... 1000 grit will work mark the nortorn with pencil lines and work it until they are all gone. then repeat the second time should be real quick.

as for the screech... are both the spine and the edge resting on the hone?

when new or lapped sharpen something like a chisel or plane on it the first time that will make sure the cutting surface is good and that also works for diamond hones.

also did you soak your nortons first?

I've had the Norton for about six weeks and I didn't have this problem until after I started lapping, so I can't really ask Executive Shaving to take it back. Yes, I soak the Norton for about 5 minutes before starting. I'm hoping the lapping stone will take it down more than the abrasive paper.

Can you show us pictures of the stone?

Originally Posted by sidneykidney

Can you show us pictures of the stone?

If I did this right, the two pictures of the stone should be attached.

I use Easy Off Fume Free to lift contaminants out of stones. As far as the metal is concerned, use the norton flattening stone I sent you. Personally I prefer the DMT 8C for flattening and it does great work on a Norton.

If you're hearing shrieking sounds from your stone, something's wrong. Are you soaking it long enough? What about a slurry?

Originally Posted by Howard

I use Easy Off Fume Free to lift contaminants out of stones. As far as the metal is concerned, use the norton flattening stone I sent you. Personally I prefer the DMT 8C for flattening and it does great work on a Norton.

If you're hearing shrieking sounds from your stone, something's wrong. Are you soaking it long enough? What about a slurry?

I cleaned the 4K side with a stiff brush and it's OK now. There is something embedded in the 8K side that the razor hits and I'm waiting for the flattening stone to fix it.

Originally Posted by Chimensch

I cleaned the 4K side with a stiff brush and it's OK now. There is something embedded in the 8K side that the razor hits and I'm waiting for the flattening stone to fix it.

The Norton flattening stone arrived today and it removed whatever the razor was hitting before. The prep stone makes a great slurry. Now, I'm a happy camper again.

Thanks to all who pointed me in the right direction. I had originally ordered the Norton 4K/8K from Executive Shaving in the UK and I'm still somewhat surprised that they would sell such a product without any mention that it needs to be lapped or that such things as a flattening stone and prep stone exist. If it wasn't for all the help and advice I've received here, and especially however it was that I got pointed to The Perfect Edge, I'd be in a hell of mess.