specks, flecks, and freckles, too!

[Ben325e]

So, my shapton 16k has specks, flecks, freckles, or whatever you want to call em visible in the surface. Does this conform to what everyone else witnesses in their 16k?

Does your 16k feel buttery smooth when honing, or sometimes slightly scritchy?

[FreyGrimrod]

Do you have the diamond glass lapping plate?/were these there before ever honing on it? I'd guess most of the spots are tiny bits of steel removed by the hone that have loaded up on the hone....

[xChris]

My GS16K is a uniform white color. I agree it looks like it's loaded up, and needs cleaning/lapping; the "scritchy" sensation may be from debris coming free, and floating on the surface as you are honing.

[2Sharp]

Hello Ben. That looks like steel buildup to me. I have an occasional black dot but don't worry about that. If a scotch bright won't remove it try lapping it again. I lap mine a few strokes every time I hone. Also as others have mentioned rub with another hone that is closer to the grit that it is. That will smooth it to give it that buttery feeling. Make sure you clean under running water with a scotch bright pad to remove any grit that doesn't belong. If lapping and cleaning don't take care of it maybe the stone should be replaced. Try it a few days to decide.

bj