Hey guys,

I know there are many ways to skin a cat, and I wouldn't be surprised if there were a special knife for that!

However, just as important as sharpening equipment is, so is their maintenance, especially for sharpening stones. I wondering what different methods people are using to lap their sharpening stones? I'm not trying to find the best way, but rather to get a comprehensive idea of all the different ways.

For example, I love to use my Shapton DGLP, DRLP, and Compact Lapping plate with powders because A) I own all of them (being a dealer has its priveleges )B) because I think they are the most accurate and consistent, and C) because they are designed especially for Shapton products (but work well on any brand water stone.) The downside is that they are expensive, but I find that using them in a professional setting offers the speed, consistency and accuracy that is worth the cost.

With that being said, there are also carbide powder(s) on glass, sandpaper on glass, stone to stone, DMT diamond plates, lapping disks (from hand-held to industrial), and even the curb just to name a few.

But not everyone is sharpening as much, or as many different things, so lapping may not be such a priority or as essential.

What do you use, and more importantly, why?

Thanks!