Thread: Lapping A New Norton 4k/8k

Originally Posted by Hirlau

1/8 of an inch ??
Sounds like a bit much to lap off of a new Norton, but I could be wrong.

It took me about 10 minutes of easy lapping with a 325 to bring mine into play.

I didn't exactly measure it and maybe exaggerated some. The point being, it seemed that I lapped away a lot more than I thought would ever be necessary with a brand new stone. I bought a Naniwai 1k at the same time and couldn't figure out why the 4k felt so much more rough than the 1k. I hadn't smoothed it out yet. My honing mentor here, Stefan, told me to get busy with the DMT and not to be afraid to strip some of the 4k off. Then things started to make sense.

Yes, I can see there being a difference from Norton to Norton, nothing is made "Exactly" alike. Just when I saw the 1/8 of an inch reference, I actually took a ruler to my Norton & said, "Holy Cow!".

I'm glad you got her up & running, though.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Yes, I can see there being a difference from Norton to Norton, nothing is made "Exactly" alike. Just when I saw the 1/8 of an inch reference, I actually took a ruler to my Norton & said, "Holy Cow!".

I'm glad you got her up & running, though.

My reaction was the same when I was told how much to peel off of it. So much to learn. But with each discovery I know we're preserving what was almost lost knowledge. It's important that someone keeps these traditions alive. I guess that is our charge.

Some enlightenment

Norton 4k

Made in USA
Made in Mexico
Made in Italy

There are many different recommendations for lapping because these are all slightly different in smoothness

The earlier 4k's were the USA ones and required near zero lapping, then they changed to the Mexico made and the stones required near 1/8 in to get right, these improved over time, most of what you find now are Italty made and require very little lapping again... basically lap until smooth as mentioned above..

Thanks for the info, gssixgun! I actually cancelled my order for the Norton Flattening Stone and went with the DMT 325 instead, after hearing the recommendations here...glad I did! After watching your videos, I'm very excited to start my endeavour into the world of honing!

John