Thread: lapping a norton for clogging

I lapped my Norton 4-8,00 then did a few blades. I noticed the 8 was discolored after two blades and didn't seem to do the job. How often do you lapp, Just to get out the cloggs?
Thanks Al

Hmmm... by it's nature, the Norton is constantly wearing away to expose fresh abrasive. It really shouldn't get clogged per se. The discoloring is just metal that was removed, which should rinse off. Are you keeping the stone wet?

I just use my fingers to sprinkle water on the stone . Sometimes I dunk it in the pail I used to soak it.
Al

What you are seeing is normal, as is the change in behavior.
I lap my norton before (or after) each razor.

This way it only takes a couple of seconds to refresh it, and I have a fresh honing surface for each razor I hone. This also helps with the honing consistency when you are learning.
You could wait longer, but then the lapping itself would also take longer because you have more wear and disoloration to get rid of.