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

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 honed a razor for my dad earlier today using only the Norton 4000/8000, and the results were quite nice. I don't remember exactly what I did, but it took a little while on the 4k side since the bevel had to be reset. After polishing up on the 8k side, I stropped on denim about 50 laps and then on leather 100 laps. After all that I decided to test it out. Prep was my normal routine and the shave went really well. I got a little burn on my neck, but I'm still a noob straight shaver and I haven't figured out how to shave my neck yet; I attribute the burn to my technique.

Ok, I've had two shaves the past two days after touching up the Le Canadien and both have been lacklustre. This blade gives me trouble, so I'm going to go back to the stones, yet again.

Today I took it for 10 laps on water and a further 10, super-light strokes on the damp stone. It still pulled a bit and felt rough, even after 50 webbing, 100 'roo on the strop. More fine-tuning, I guess.

Yesterday's writeup: http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...tml#post911495

Today's: http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...tml#post911495

After reading these posts for a while now I have decided that either I am the worlds greatest honer or have a face made out of stone.

Since I know I have a lot to learn about honing my face must be made of Granite. I am polishing the edge every time I shave!

Therefore disregard any findings of mine as I am unintentionally cheating.

Tim

To date, since 1/16/2012 have only stropped my Hamburg Ring (Joseph Rogers) and Otto Busch Weltmeister. No linen, just leather 60xs. I have no need to take either razor back to the Norton at this time. I have learned much, Glen, from this experiment. First, how to take better care as I use the Norton. Second, how to strop more carefully. Third, how to use these remarkable old tools as I shave. No cuts, no burn!!! Thank you for suggesting this experiment - it has been a lot of fun and a great challange to state my results and then to compare them with other guys on this journey.