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 had a similar problem with mine. Lapping it did the trick. But you may need something slightly coarser than 600 grit if its still there after you've lapped it. Use wet/dry sandpaper attached to a perfectly flat surface such as glass. The water should hold it on place on that. If you need any further help on how to lap let me know

Do not use sandpaper from the hardware store to lap the norton stones, Though it may be wet dry paper, the sandpaper at the hardware store was designed for masonary work, and will leave large particles in your stone.

As suggested above, get 1000 grit wet dry paper from the auto supply store and lap your stone. When your done lapping use a plastic bristle brush to scrub the surface of the stone under running water (or you can use the palm of your hand).

If I am not mistaken the instructions that came with my Nortons called for a 15 minute soak. I also soak them before I lap them. If you have a way to get hold of a DMTC diamond plate it is great for lapping. Personally I don't care for the Norton lapping stone.

Chi...

There should be included with your Norton a brochure which indicates the wet or dry sandpaper grits to use for lapping or flattening the stone. My brochure indicated using 220 grit on plate glass and finishing the 4000-8000 grit stones with 400-600 grit paper. Remember the Norton needs to be soaked well first and then the lapping process should be done with plenty of additional water to carry the debris created away from the area between the stone and the paper. The media you use to support the paper needs to be as flat as possible and your marble counter is probably more than adequate for this.

Draw pencil lines on the surfaces to be lapped about 12-20mm apart on the length and width of the stone and lap with little pressure and much water forth and back and in circles (or ideally in figure 8s), swapping ends on the stone from time to time in order to keep the wear on the stone from your hand pressure as neutral as possible. Lap until the pencil cross-hatching is gone. Repeat the process with each finer grit paper you use.

If, once the stones have been lapped flat using this technique, your razors continue to make strange noises when being honed, I believe that contacting the seller or Norton may be in order. If your stones do have inclusions in them the lapping with wet or dry paper should also bring those down to the surface of the stone where their presence should be moot.

good luck,