Thread: Streaks on norton

As a beginner, I just lapped my norton 4k/8k. I'm pretty sure it's nice and flat now but when I began to hone an old chopper blade it left dark grey streaks up and down the 4k side. Plus it feels sticky when I hone apposed to smooth and abrasive. Is this normal? Videos I see of people honing show a nice clean white surface.

Honing will leave behind steel, which will look black. If there is too much steel building up, the feedback will change since grits will be less exposed or not exposed at all. A light lapping will get it out.

The same can happen with tape, if you are using any.

More lapping or some Barkeeper's Friend and a 3m Scotch pad and elbow grease

I'm still a noob, so take this with a grain of salt, but since prevention is usually the best method, I'd say be sure your rinsing your stone regularly during the honing process to help avoid the excess buildup of swarf in the first place. You may have to get your slurry going again (if your using any), but I would think it would keep you from having to excessively lap your stones (though you should lap with each use, even if just lightly). Also, keep either a spray bottle of water handy, or just drizzle some by hand onto the stones... the Nortons seem to be a thirsty bunch to me, and my experience has been that the drier they become, the more swarf buildup I see (which I believe translates to more aggressive cutting).

Again, noob here... I'm sure some of the more experienced members will chime in if I'm wrong.

The 4k stone is pure white and reveals the steel remains after a few strokes. This is normal. However, be careful not to apply too much pressure.