Norton Honing Draw Question

So I've been trying to hone up some older razors (so far one with success!) and it sort of feels to me like there is more draw on the 8k (yellow side) of my 4k/8k combo than on the 4k (white side). Is that how it should feel? It almost seems like the yellow side takes off more metal (due to the amount of black I see on the yellow) but this could just be an optical illussion brought out by the yellow.

Also could it be because the white side is lapped improperly? I'm pretty sure I did a good job lapping it and the blade draws evenly...but...well what do you think?

As far as the metal removal goes the 4K is the coarser grit size and it will take off much more metal than the 8K. If the 8K is taking off more metal than the 4K something is terribly wrong. I just finished taking out a chip in an Eboy special using back and forth honing on the 4K and when I was done there was a black puddle on the stone. Thats metal removal!

I wouldn't expect to get any draw on the 4K side. First of all its a cutting device and is rough to begin with so you always have what feels like draw but it isn't draw its the cutting action. The 8K is the polishing side. I have mine lapped with a sharpton plate using very fine grit so its actually polished so it actually does give more feel as you hone but I don't usually experience draw on any hone. The strop is where you really get the draw.

I would suggest that if your seeing alot of balck on the 8K your probably using downwards pressure on the hone, a no no. A little black is normal but not alot.

I think Norton claims the 4K side is a fast cutting material which would mean it is an open pore type surface. This would clog less and feel more fre when honing. The 8K side in not as porous and less agressive so you may find it has more friction or true "draw". The extra black over the white side may just be that it clogs a little faster, or holds the metal longer.

Tony

You might try using less pressure on the 8K side. There should be some light evidence of honing but not a lot. It sounds like you need to spend more time on the 4K and less on the 8K with less pressure on the 8K.

I understand what you are feeling on the 8k side. I have felt it myself. Someone described it as a "gummy" feeling a few months back. It is a tough thing, but I try to sit on the edge of that sensation (FOR THE MOST PART). More pressure at the start of the pyramid means living, not far, but noticeable within that sensation at the beginning of the pyramid, through riding onit like a surfer on a wave through the bulk of the pyramid, to sitting just outside it at the end of the pyramid. I also find that the 8k Norton tends to have a slightly more dramatic affect on a carbon blade than the 4k and try to ease up on the 8k side ever so slightly because of that.

X

I find that the 8K side seems softer than the 4K side. The metal particles seem to float on the water film on the 4K side and imbed more on the 8K side as previously described. Getting a lot of particle on the 8K side with the amount of razors being described has me concerned with the amount of strokes being used. The particles or darkness on the 8K side are usually easy to simply rub off with water as well. Because of the 4K side is more course, I definitely feel more draw on that side, but the feel on the 8K side is not slick either.

Lynn

Lynn,
Similar to my results. My "draw" on the 4K side is coarse like you describe, an abrasive friction I suppose. on the 8K side it is more like the razor is stuck to the surface, kind of a suction from the water/slurry,swarf.

The blackness easily rubs off of the 8K side for me.

Tony

I'll try to ease off the pressure and see how my results change. It might be that although I'm pretty careful to keep it light. Maybe I'm just feeling friction on the 8k. Also maybe I need to add more water on top while I'm honing. I'll experiment and see how it goes.

Thanks for all the tips.