Thread: Can someone please explain...

...the term "lapping". I see this regularly in threads and topics regarding hones/stones/etc. However, I don't know the difference between a lapped/unlapped stone, which is better for honing and for what reasons.

I tried to search the forum, but unfortunately received no results.

Thanks for the newbie help!

~Chris

A lapped stone has been flattened, It's usually done with a special stone, but can also be done with another flat hone.
If you are going to start honing, you will want to make sure your hones are lapped, or properly flattened before you ever take a razor to them.
and you will have to re lapp them every so often.

The reason behind it is the razor's edge... a knife is fine on an unlapped stone, simple put the knife isn't as delicate as a razor. To get a proper edge you need all of the conditions to be right. and something as small as a grain of sand or a scratch on your hone can chip the edge. Lapping gives you a clean fresh area to work on.

Fantastic. Thanks for the quick reply, Mike! Very helpful.