Thread: Norton Flattening Stone

Any of the DMTs 8c 8Xc 8XXc will be fine. Lots of running water if you want them for a long time. I have even use the 8XXC on higher grit stones with LIGHT even pressure and the more i use it the more I believe it is the best for lapping. If you press hard with it it will leave deep scratches but with super light touch you get a nice finish. If you want to be fanatic you can smooth finer stones after against a lower grit stone. No stiction problems even the 8XC can still have a little stiction.
I don't use the norton flattening stone at all anymore. Because it starts to load, you end up compensating with extra pressure. Extra pressure means that some places are getting deep scratches where the load places are not doing anything. I can get a smoother surface with the 8XXC than a norton. If using the 8c make sure you use lots and lots of running water and it will be fine for quite a while. I love the surface the 8c leaves but the 8XX gives me a flatter stone as I don't have to worry about suction pulling unevenly on the stone being honed. The one with holes has less problems with this issue but is not as nice for rough in work on razors or other smaller tools that also get attention from my stones.
I actually have a 6c with holes that still flattens stones and I had it in service for years before I went to the diasharp line. I still use it for a quickie once in a while just to give it some love.
Michael