Thread: Lapping A New Norton 4k/8k

Hello All,

Quick yes/no question here. I am new to the world of straight razors, and really want to teach myself how to hone properly. So I bought a cheapo Gold Dollar Hollow-ground razor to practice on, and I also bought a Norton 4k/8k waterstone. My question is: Is it necessary to flatten and/or lap the Norton when I unbox it? Or does it come pretty flat from the factory? My plan is to acquire a flattening stone as well, but I haven't ordered one yet. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

I would love to become proficient at honing (hoping to make it a new hobby of mine!), so hopefully I'm off to the right start!

Cheers,

John

The quick reply would be 'Yes'
I use a DMT325 as do most of the members here, I think
Take a look at gssixgun's honing vidoes on YouTube and follow his advice.
That's how I learned to hone and don't be surprised if you get a good shave from the GD - I did

Hi jpcwon. I think most here will tell you it is necessary to lap a new Norton 4/8K and I would agree from my experience. I thought maybe I wouldn't have to when I got my new Norton. The first couple of honings I did were not great. Of course, some of that may have been my inexperience. But I tried lapping using my DMT 325 (red) 4x10 benchstone following the recommendations here. It was significantly out of true, and subsequent honing activity went much better.

I agree with the above post about lapping them out of the box. I also find that I get better results if I lap them periodically or even before I use them "if only a few passes with a flattening stone". The norton 8k especially seems to work better with a fresh surface. It doesn't seem to take much to glaze that one and even the slightest glaze seems to affect its optimum performance. You picked a really good set of stones to start honing on since they give pretty consistent results and work really well IMHO.

When I started (and I'm still new to it) I didn't know this but I'll pass it along. You will want to lap the hell out it for more than just ensuring that its flat. You're also smoothing out the stone. I didn't know this at the time but you're supposed to try to strip off about 1/8 of an inch of the 4k side until it feels smooth. The Norton 4k comes fairly gritty and it needs to be lapped to smooth out the surface. If you don't, you won't be able to polish the edge at all.

Lapping is beneficial or necessary because it flattens the stone honing surface, removes the as manufactured "glazed" surface of a new stone to expose fresh grit, and smooths the porous scratched stone surface.

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

When I started (and I'm still new to it) I didn't know this but I'll pass it along. You will want to lap the hell out it for more than just ensuring that its flat. You're also smoothing out the stone. I didn't know this at the time but you're supposed to try to strip off about 1/8 of an inch of the 4k side until it feels smooth. The Norton 4k comes fairly gritty and it needs to be lapped to smooth out the surface. If you don't, you won't be able to polish the edge at all.

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.

The 8K may take a little more lapping than some stones, but lapping off an 1/8 of an inch is excessive and unnecessary. I've had mine for almost two years now, have lapped it a bunch of times and doubt I have taken that much off it yet. It works just fine.

Well I definitely appreciate the advice! I actually went ahead and ordered a Norton Flattening Stone which will hopefully get me going in the right direction, but if a DMT325 is what you recommend then I will probably go that route as well. As I said I am just starting out, but my goal is to hopefully build a collection of nice straights that I have honed myself. Gotta start somewhere, though!

Thx again for the replies!