Thread: HAD begins: DMT D8XX for Shapton 16k?

Originally Posted by Fraserazor

Thanks Kaptin Zero,just one question, is your DMT a DC8?

Regards,

Mark

Yes, it's a D8C I use for lapping hones and I have a D8E that I use mostly in the shop for other tool sharpening but will use it for a bad chip in a razor if I have to.

Christian

I don't recommend you use the D8EE on the Shapton. It will load up quickly and need cleaning. If you're going to commit to the Shapton line, suck it up and go for the DGLP (not the lapping plate which is a lot more than $300). Call me up and I'll give you a good price on one. The Shapton system works best when it's used as a system - stones, DGLP, stone holder, and pond. I have stopped fooling around with just about all of my other stones and use the system exclusively. My razor honing customers love the edge off of the Shap 30k.

I'm not clear on this deformation issue Lt. was having with his shaptons.

Are they plastically deforming for some reason?

Was this also an issue with the shapton pro's?

Or are they wearing and require lapping as all waterstones do?

Shaptons, both the Pro and the newer Glass hones are made from abrasive grit in a resin binder, kind of like epoxy or polyurethane or..... It's not fired in a kiln the way most hones are made and thus it is susceptible to absorbing moisture and changing it's shape, and this will be an ongoing thing with a Shapton hone. The Pro hones when worn thin were prone to breakage and warping, the new Glass hones, breakage is no longer and issue and warping much less so that the Pro hones, but the effect is still there (I have not found it to be large enough to be of any significance when honing razors).

As for using DMT's for lapping Shapton hones, the D8C is great for that... the D8E or D8EE are too fine and not only will lapping take much longer but the diamond hone would wear out quite quickly.

Regards

Christian

Originally Posted by ChrisL

Contrary to what seems to be a burgeoning belief, you can lap Shapton ceramic on glass plates with a DMT D8C perfectly fine. Having owned and used both the D8C and the GDLP, I can say the D8C is more than up to the task. I'd hate to see guys hesitate on buying Shapton stones because they think they have to buy the GDLP to make them work.

Chris L

Chris, this is very good news to me. I've just purchased a lightly used Shapton 16K and want to make sure it's lapped before I start using it after my Norton 8K, as a finishing hone. After reading this far, I now know I can use 325 wet sandpaper or the DMT D8C without problems. Excellent!

Well, I have the 1/4/8/16k Shaptons and I lap them all with the 325 grit DMT and it works great.

Theres no way I'd spend the money on the GDLP when I could get another razor(s) or a selection of naturals for the same money.

I dont use any pressure with the DMT, just the weight of the Shapton stone on top of it is enough and then just swirl it around in a circular motion. The tops of my hones are flat, clean and smooth. After the initial lapping when I bought the stones I only lap when the tops of them get all grey from the swarf.

I cant believe that barbers were sitting there tearing their hair out in the 1800's over the umpteenth thousandth of a degree of hone flatness. They just got it flat enough and then went for it I'm sure.

If your hones basically flat then the only reason to lap is to clean off the swarf.

Originally Posted by cassady

So my question is, given how rough the D8XX is, is it too coarse to lap the 16k? Do I need to move to the DMT D8C? I know, I know. Buy the dedicated Shapton lapping plate. I would, but $300 is out of my budget right now.

Will the D8XX work on the 16k?

cass, you're all set with your D8XX, all you need is a synthetic nagura to smooth out the surface after lapping.

Dave