Thread: The Famous/Infamous Norton 4/8 "JaNorton 2012"

What is VOOGD?

This is from before I cleaned it up.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...tml#post766757

Originally Posted by HNSB

What is VOOGD?

Originally Posted by HNSB

What is VOOGD?

And I thought it stood for Very Old, Okay Gold Duck

Got a decent first shave off my Birthday Greaves today.
New but broken-in--4/8k, DMT325, and SRD Premium 1 strop.
During the last two weeks, I've practiced a bit on two other warped straights, and I decided to jump into this precious and challenging smile.
After what was probably a couple of hours setting the bevel on the 4K, first with two layers of 3M 33 to get the antique nicks out, then bare back feathering in the second bevel to the edge.
I used a combination of heal forward circles, and rolling X's, using techniques presented in Glen's 'Honing a Smiling Blade' video off YouTube.
Once the bevel was set, I went to the 8K, which didn't take long to polish up to a shiny edge.
Then on to the strop, 100/100 fabric/leather, then shower, shave, and shine.

I did notice that the toe of the Greaves was not sharp, due to my lack of honing experience, but the mid and heal were quite nice.
When I get more time, I'll go back to the 4k and try to get the entire blade sharp next time.
Thanks again Greg, and everyone else on SRP! My birthday dreams have finally come true!

Okey, time for me to sum up this experiment.
My expectations was to get some pointers and tips on my honing in general, and also learn to get as much as I could of the Norton 4/8.

That most certainly happened, and in a grand ol' way too.
I've tried many of the techniques and tips in this thread, and can safely say that I walk away from it with more in my honing quiver than when I entered in.

If there is one thing that I take away from this, it is the importance of pressure. From the bevel set stages all the way thru to finishing the edge.
When bevel setting I've played around with various amounts of pressure. Heavier than what I normally do, and definitely with a wider progression in the amount of it

Likewise, when approaching the finishing stages, I have tried my very best to go even lighter than what I have been doing this far, and as most of you will probably have felt yourself, that has brought the edge even further for me. On the Norton, and on my other stones and systems.

The Norton stone will be a permanent part of my honing tools from now on, it is a very versatile and well-performing tool.

Thanks Glen for putting this together, it has been most educational, and a whole lot of fun to boot.

Thanks also to all who have contributed to this experiment, the information and knowledge put forth in this thread will, I'm sure, benefit newcomers and seasoned honers for a long time to come.

I'll be returning to my regular schedule from now on, my other hones need some much needed attention

By the time I found this thread, I'd already ordered some new stones, and apparently I'm not disciplined enough to wait to use them. However, the discussion and feedback from all of you who contributed here helped me a great deal.

I have worked three razors through the process of setting the bevel through polishing and have had the best shaves ever with the honing skills learned here.

A huge thanks to all who contribute here.

Originally Posted by Birnando

Okey, time for me to sum up this experiment.
My expectations was to get some pointers and tips on my honing in general, and also learn to get as much as I could of the Norton 4/8.

That most certainly happened, and in a grand ol' way too.

Good points!

Today I bought a 1-6K king. i couldn't stay with the Ja Norton spirit. I included the 12k PHIG. Pasted strop etc. I got an arguably better shave. not by much.

For most of us the 4/8k Norton can make a usable ever day edge.

Tim

I just can't seem to get the second vid to load, might be the storm going through...

Basically it was using all X strokes through the 4 and 8 only then re-lapping the 8k with a 1k Chosera for a smoother finish...

Was there a huge difference IDK I got a nice smooth shave twice now with Friodur so it worked but I can't say it was noticeably better than the Bengall...

Will keep trying to upload the Vid

Well a few more days have passed and going back and forth between both razors still yielding good shaves off the 4k/8k, i was thinking of going back to the norton to try honing with a different pattern with the other hand like somebody suggested, instead i tried stropping holding the razor at a 45 degree angle or close to that so i wouldnt have to do x-strokes on te strops, a little akward at first did the usual 40 linen, 40 leather, and 40 leather, the test shave this morning was really good did it improved the edge perhaps not but maybe gave the edge a little more smootheness, will see i will try with the Puma tomorrow.Enjoy!!

I have 7 shaves on the CMon and 8 on the Rodgers and they are both still shaving very well. What I have noticed is that the edges have not degraded has quickly as when I use finishers, pastes and sprays. I have very thick facial hair and usually need to touch up after 3 or 4 shaves.