Thread: Norton 8k vs DMT D8C

Just got my D8C yesterday, put a pencil grid on the Norton and headed for the kitchen sink. I couldn't believe how high the stone was in the center. It is dead flat now. I will be doing the 4k before I use it as well.

Running water will save you DMT!

Originally Posted by luteplayers

Just got my D8C yesterday, put a pencil grid on the Norton and headed for the kitchen sink. I couldn't believe how high the stone was in the center. It is dead flat now. I will be doing the 4k before I use it as well.

I think for what its worth the stones should be lapped before they are sold. My Norton 8k was low in the middle, which takes forever to lap even with a dmt. My naniwas 12k was almost dead flat except for 1 corner, so you have to flatten 90 % of the surface to get it flat. I don't use my 1k Norton anymore. I got the dmt 1200. I have used diamond lapping film on the finishing side like 1 micron and under. Im tempted to use film only because of the lapping. I maintain 30 straights for myself. And the Chinese 12k I got took almost an hour to lap, and a LOT of laps to finish a blade with. Im done with that 12k. I sold it. I want to get the xxfine dmt supposed to be 8k equivalent. I will sooner or later.

Originally Posted by bill3152

I want to get the xxfine dmt supposed to be 8k equivalent. I will sooner or later.

Lapping is a PITA. As far as the DMT 8k, I've got one and I've used it within the progression on a couple of really tough steels, ATS-34 and S30V. I don't know for sure what the actual grit is but I've read that despite the 8k claim it is more like 4k. I do know that I wouldn't shave after it without going to a regular finishing stone. The results are too harsh for me. YMMV.

I did indeed do the lapping of the 8k under running water. Now that it is flat I'm sure it will take a lot less lapping in the future. I am getting a pretty good shave off the 8k, but I do see a 12k finisher on my horizon. Had my best straight shave to date with a Dovo off it this morning. I have only been at it a couple of weeks, but I am approaching the BBS I was getting with DE razors. On my 2nd & 3rd passes I am lathering in stages and using my alum block to coat the finger tips of my off hand and get a good stretch.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Lapping is a PITA. As far as the DMT 8k, I've got one and I've used it within the progression on a couple of really tough steels, ATS-34 and S30V. I don't know for sure what the actual grit is but I've read that despite the 8k claim it is more like 4k. I do know that I wouldn't shave after it without going to a regular finishing stone. The results are too harsh for me. YMMV.

I use a 12k naniwa. And then I use either diamond lapping film to .1 micron, dia slurry on felt, dia pasted leather or crox on balsa. I havent found my favorite finish yet, I like em all! For what its worth Im gonna keep using my norton 8k. It really is a nice stone and I lap it often enough where its never more than a couple minutes or less.

Originally Posted by bill3152

I think for what its worth the stones should be lapped before they are sold. My Norton 8k was low in the middle, which takes forever to lap even with a dmt. My naniwas 12k was almost dead flat except for 1 corner, so you have to flatten 90 % of the surface to get it flat. I don't use my 1k Norton anymore. I got the dmt 1200. I have used diamond lapping film on the finishing side like 1 micron and under. Im tempted to use film only because of the lapping. I maintain 30 straights for myself. And the Chinese 12k I got took almost an hour to lap, and a LOT of laps to finish a blade with. Im done with that 12k. I sold it. I want to get the xxfine dmt supposed to be 8k equivalent. I will sooner or later.

To be fair, the additional lapping which we do is only necessary for our razors. For pretty much anything else, they're flat enough as is.
And if we're honest, we have to admit we'd lap them anyway, just to be sure