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

Originally Posted by jdto

I picked up an Artificial "Nagura" Stone from Lee Valley, which I'd intended to use to raise the slurry on my 4k/8k.

Is this in line with JaNortan specifications? I see you state we should not use a special nagura. Hopefully, this evening will allow me enough free time for honing.

That Lee Valley one or others like it, is NOT a special Nagura, it is basically an unbranded Norton Prep stone, what I meant in the rules was using Nagura such the Japanese ones (Botan, Tenjyou, Mejiro and Koma) that are designed to create different cutting solutions or say using a Coticule on the 8k or a Escher Slurry stone...

Originally Posted by fragalot

surely if you're doing it right a 4k isn't going to *dull* it either? :P
I mean, if you're able to shave off of a 1k (all-be it not as comfortable as possible), it can't really be that dull :P

You are asking a ton of technical questions, but the simple answer is YES a 4k will dull the edge slightly from the slurry, then as you dilute it out the edge will get "Sharper" again.. A Norton 4k will auto slurry, so if you want the max edge out of it you have to use the spray bottle often or dip the razor...

You have to keep in mind that all of these "Dull" edges are capable of cutting hair, they are all in the sub 1/2 micron range, the difference is only partially in the "Sharpness" arena and more in the "Smoothness" factor...

Dudes, we're only three days into this, and now I firmly believe in: "If you can't shave comfortably off a Norton 4/8k, you suck at honing!"

Now joking aside, this is incredibly fun.

JaNorton Shave #3 went very well. Dovo Best again (I didn't bring the WB to the cottage, b/c I would have needed to bring the stone too...)

Anyway. Nice and smooth, two passes. No discomfort or irritation.

2nd Shave

Razor : 7/8" W&B chopper

Method :

Just for the heck of it, I did 5 sweeping X-strokes on the N4k.

I then went to the N8k with just water. Using only the weight of the blade, I did 10 sweeping X-strokes again, then rinsed the hone, and did 5 more in a stropping manner (spine leading) followed by 1 sweeping X-stroke.

I then stropped 40x on my homemade denim cloth strop, followed by 40x on my homemade cowhide leather strop.

Shave : I did my usual 2 pass shave (WTG, XTG), following the same prep procedures I always do. The shave was fairly comfortable, and ended up fairly smooth, very similar to shave #1. Again, I will try something a little different next time and see what happens.

First shave of the new year is in. My weapons of choice...

Since I had about 8 days of unshaved growth, I went with the wedge. Not as smooth as I had hoped. first weepers I have had in a while. Likely due to my putting a bit more pressure into the shave to power through the growth. It held up fairly well to the heavy whacking that was required. The Robeson is on deck now, and will not have to deal with anything more than 2 days stubble. (my normal time between shaves)

Shaved w/ the Berg this morning--very good, very comfortable shave. I purposely went a little light on the trouble spots on my neck as the 2nd day of shaving after taking a break is always an opportunity for irritation. There was none, though. I'll say it again: the Norton, properly used, is perfectly capable of giving a good shave! If that doesn't happen for some reason, it's either a weird razor, or it's the honer.

Originally Posted by Blix

So todays honing session was 20 laps on the 8k, then 50/100 on a Illinois #827

.

Sounds very similar to mine!

My shave this morning was fine but it can always get better.

Tonight I first started by putting together a new strop. Nothing fancy just a couple of D rings on some 2" Latigo.

20 laps on a wet but no excess water 8k.

100 laps on fire hose and 200 on the new Latigo.

X2 once for the Henckels and again for the Bengall.

Under magnification I could see that this improved the polish of the bevel. I had fun playing with the angle of the light changing the scratch pattern. If I got the angle right those scratches all but disappeared!

The Bengall seems to have a better edge and I noticed a couple of microchips on the edge of the Henckels. I won't know for sure for at least 2 days.

My archery leagues should keep me busy and away from the hones for the next couple of days though. That is unless I decide to sharpen my broadheads.

Tim

Originally Posted by Blix

Dudes, we're only three days into this, and now I firmly believe in: "If you can't shave comfortably off a Norton 4/8k, you suck at honing!"

Now joking aside, this is incredibly fun.

Where is the joke?

Took my second shave this morning. just to make sure it was no fluke. I did add 5 more laps on my 8k. the shave was exactly the same. still very smooth and very forgiving edge . Very similar if not just like a nice natural stone can deliver. Is the 8k manmade or is a natural substance? seems like my edge is pritty maxed out, I may try as lyn says 1, 5 pyramid. Just for curiosity. I never thought i would like the edge of nortons . It seems like my ti steel is very well suited to the norton s. the other thing is i have a sub par hht. every one talks about hht. I use it with coticules and it works. It seems not to be the case with the 4k/8k. i can pass hht desently but not like usaul. yet the shave is as good and defanatley as comfortable.

regards gary