Thread: New Norton 4k/8k ariving tomorrow....

This is the first hone I've actually purchased (used several that were handed down) and have been the first user of. I was just wondering if there is any sort of prep that I should do before honing a blade. Any tips would be welcome and helpful. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Climber160

This is the first hone I've actually purchased (used several that were handed down) and have been the first user of. I was just wondering if there is any sort of prep that I should do before honing a blade. Any tips would be welcome and helpful. Thanks!

The Norton will need to be soaked and lapped. I would suggest you go to the Wiki and read the Hone Tutorials. Lots of good info there!

I started lapping my Norton on abrasive paper (Imperial 600 WD) and immediately got grit embedded in the surface of the hone. You can hear and feel the razor hit and it's not good. If this happens, you will have no choice but to lap it on a Norton Flattening Stone or other lapping plate.

Lapping is essential, and I never got good results with the sandpaper method. ymmv.
The norton flattening stone is good value for money, but the DMTD8C is ideal imo. it's not too expensive, it stays flat and it can be used to lap all kinds of stones, whereas the norton fs should only be used with nortons.

I would not buy a norton without the DMT C. It is the best 50.00 I have spent on razor stuff. It will also do a good job bringing dull kitchen knives back to life before the finer stones. I have even used it to take out BAD chips in razors then brought them back to shaving. Got my DMT's at woodcraft just because they were in stock and I wanted them now not three days from now.

Don

Thanks for the info guys. I don't really have the extra $ for a dedicated lapping stone at the moment, but somewhere I've got a stash of wet/dry paper for doing auto body repair. I believe that should work fine.