Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 16
  1. #1
    Junior Member lodgeskins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Norwalk, Ct
    Posts
    15
    Thanked: 1

    Default Is the 4k/8k Norton enough for my needs?

    I just picked up the Norton combo this evening (side note: Woodcraft is having a 10% off sale right now), and I got their 12k Chinese stone as well. I am new to straight razor shaving, and have never honed, but I guess it could be said that I jump into things. I've read a lot of the advice on here about concentrating on stropping with a shave ready razor, etc., but I can't help it. I did, however, do a lot of reading on here (such a helpful site!) and feel like I've been making good decisions in my approach. I did by a razor that had been freshly honed by an SRP member, which is great. So that is my basis for comparison. I also bought a few other razors that I would like to bring back to life, hence the stones purchase tonight. The razors that I would like to restore are somewhat dull, but have no nicks that are visible or that I am able to feel with my thumb pad. They have all probably sat in a drawer somewhere for many years, unmaintained. Sorry for the long intro, and on to my question. Should I purchase something lower than the 4k to reset the bevels, or should I just start out on the 4k and see how it goes? I've read the Bevel setting wiki, beginners guide to honing wiki, what hones do I need wiki, etc. and I know a stone in the 1k range is recommended. But, could I spend 4 times as long on a 4k stone and achieve the same result? I wouldn't mind if it were even more than 4 times longer, so long as it would save me from buying another stone right now. But, If I have to, I'll go get another stone. Thanks for any input. -Mike

  2. #2
    Born a Hundred Years Too Late aroliver59's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Way Upstate,NY
    Posts
    1,243
    Thanked: 319

    Default

    You can make out alright with these stones.Like you said,if you need to remove more material,you can do more laps on the 4k.Also,don't forget to lap all your stones before using....

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to aroliver59 For This Useful Post:

    lodgeskins (07-24-2010)

  4. #3
    Junior Member lodgeskins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Norwalk, Ct
    Posts
    15
    Thanked: 1

    Default

    Cool. Thanks for the response and for reading my rambling post!

  5. #4
    (John Ayers in SRP Facebook Group) CaliforniaCajun's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Lafayette, LA
    Posts
    1,542
    Thanked: 270

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by lodgeskins View Post
    Cool. Thanks for the response and for reading my rambling post!
    Welcome. I haven't started honing yet but I got the same stones you did and if I have many more shaves like the Sandpaper Special I had today with a usually reliable razor I need to get busy and start learning ASAP.

    Straight razor shaver and loving it!
    40-year survivor of electric and multiblade razors

  6. #5
    zib
    zib is offline
    Hell Razor zib's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Jacksonville, Fl.
    Posts
    5,348
    Thanked: 1217
    Blog Entries
    4

    Default

    Mike, I find that a 1k come in handy for bevel setting. Norton makes a 220/1k combo
    The 220 is good if you come across chips, stuff like that....
    We have assumed control !

  7. #6
    Hones & Honing randydance062449's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States
    Posts
    7,972
    Thanked: 2202
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    Just a quick note.... when testing the edge for microchips etc use the
    Thumb Nail Test , TNT, not the Thumb Pad Test, TPT.

    When your honing the edge of a Ebay vintage or antique store razor remember that the edge has oxidized and become weak. The weak steel needs to be removed and any microchips also. I have found that it usually takes at least 50 laps on 1000 grit sandpaper and usually 100 laps so the Norton 4K is going to take more. Let the TNT be your guide.
    Clean the hone frequently while honing, the swarf will build up fast.
    Randolph Tuttle, a SRP Mentor for residents of Minnesota & western Wisconsin

  8. The Following User Says Thank You to randydance062449 For This Useful Post:

    lodgeskins (07-24-2010)

  9. #7
    Junior Member lodgeskins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Norwalk, Ct
    Posts
    15
    Thanked: 1

    Default

    Now I'm finding things about taking a dull razor from start to finish on a coticule. Which do you guys think would be a better route to go? I haven't used the Norton or Chinese stones yet, so I could still return them.

  10. #8
    < Banned User >
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    206
    Thanked: 23

    Default

    The Norton 4/8K is all you really need. I have a number of other stones, but I rarely use them.

  11. #9
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    32,564
    Thanked: 11042

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by lodgeskins View Post
    Now I'm finding things about taking a dull razor from start to finish on a coticule. Which do you guys think would be a better route to go? I haven't used the Norton or Chinese stones yet, so I could still return them.
    If you've got one you could do it with heavy slurry and a good amount of patience and persistence. Personally I would recommend you stick with your norton 4/8 until you are proficient with it. Then get into getting to know another stone. The trouble with getting too many stones too quickly is that the temptation to use all of them gets you to where you don't really know any of them. Learn one at a time until you're pretty good with each would be my advice knowing what I know now.
    Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.

  12. #10
    zib
    zib is offline
    Hell Razor zib's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Jacksonville, Fl.
    Posts
    5,348
    Thanked: 1217
    Blog Entries
    4

    Default

    The Nortons's and Naniwa's are great hones. Guys like Lynn, Glen, use them regularly and there's a reason for that. These hones cut well, fast, and give dependable/predictable results.
    I use my Nortons and Naniwa's primarily. Coticules, well, you need the right one, and even then, it takes some doing. Add a good finisher to your Norton's, and your set....
    We have assumed control !

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •