Thread: Lapping Methods

Originally Posted by Howard

For precision metal work, I have a steel plate made for the purpose and it uses a thixotropic grease of the Clover brand. The plate is HEAVY and the base is cast so there's minimal (< .00001") flex. The lapping surface is cross hatched to prevent any buildup of lapping compound which would throw off the process. If the plate is kept at consistent ambient temperature, you can get repeatable flatness to spec.

For razors I use the DGLP on my Shapton glass stones supported flat by the stone holder and in the pond with its specially treated surface (very very flat and no slippage) on top of a granite surface plate flat to .0001" across the whole surface. This setup gets me consistent and repeatable results.

Howard, you take all the fun out of this for people, they're gonna read this and get scared off. I know your from Mass, Have you been hanging around MIT....We are talking razors and hones, not stuff going up on the Space Shuttle? I bet stuff on the Space Shuttle isn't as exact as the edge off one of Howard's Razor's. Howard, are your surfaces flat as a "Gage Block".
You know what they are, right?

Barber's have been doing this for over 100 years, I think they got it right, and doubt they had all that fancy stuff, This is shaving, Let's not make it Physics 101. If it works for you, great. People shouldn't think they need all that to get a good Shave Ready blade and good flat hone. As the other Gentleman said, "Being a dealer has it's andvantages"...