Thread: Honing Help

So since its a new Norton, can I avoid the glass plate (or use my counter) if I pick up a pumice stone? Also I see they have pumice stones at walgreens for like four dollars. Will this suffice?

My new norton needed a lot of lapping (it's still not quite there, but it's better). Yours may be ok though. Give it a try and see.

Lapping is with the plate? or with a Pumice stone? Also how will I know when its in good shape?

Thanks

Lapping is done with wet 600-grit sandpaper on the plate. The wet paper sticks to the plate, and the wet hone is rubbed against it. Once the pencil lines on the hone are gone then you're getting close. I stopped at that point, but I think I stopped too early. I think the sandpaper was sucking off the plate against the stone and rubbing just hard enough to sand off the pencil marks even though the stone wasn't quite flat.

If I use my wet kitchen counter (or similar) will I get good results? Also how hard should I be pushing while I sand this thing.

Originally Posted by jbasl

If I use my wet kitchen counter (or similar) will I get good results?

Beats me. Try it and let us know :-)

Originally Posted by jbasl

Also how hard should I be pushing while I sand this thing.

Not hard. Once it starts getting flat it really sucks down on the plate, you don't have to push down on it.


You're getting too worried about this. I wouldn't worry about lapping the hone until you've actually tested it and determined that there's a problem.

be aware that your kitchen counter can be scratched / discoloured by you doing this.

the harder you push the faster the sandpaper will cut into the stone, oh you can also rip thru the sandpaper with the big stone which you don't want to waste the sandpaper that way. if you push hard and only do a few passes it may leave small valley's in the stone that you wont want. overall it won't take long to do this flattening at all, just put a bunch of lines on the stone and then rub it on the sandpaper normally. and those final few figure 8's of sanding or whatever pattern you are using, push lighter...not harder.

go try it out... go!! no more questions till you try it out and come back and say how it went for you!!

Thats probably great advice, but I tend to be one to read the manuals well before I touch my new stuff. Also it seems like I'll have to do the lapping no matter what won't I? Or if its flat I'll need to use the pumice stone. At least thats what I gathered from previous responses. Is it possible that I have to do nothing when it arrives?

AHHAA ok, no more questions til I get the stone

Come back when you have the stone, grasshopper :-)

The only way to know if your hone is flat is to lap it. Think of it as an insurance move.

Your countertop should be just fine, no need to get facncy at this point! Here is the procedure:

1. Buy some 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper
2. Put some pencil lines on your hone, no need for exactitude on this.
3. Dampen the countertop
4. Competely wet the sandpaper on both sides
5. Place the sandpaper on the countertop
6. Place the hone on the sandpaper and using an X pattern sand the hone with a normal pressure until the pencil lines are gone. Then sand for 10 more strokes.
7. Place the hone under running water and rub the surface of the hone to remove any abrasive particles that may have become embedded from the sandpaper. You can use either your hand, a nylon scrubbing pad or a brush to do this. Just be very thourough on this procedure.
8. Your done!

P.S. Sand the sharp edges off the hone, there is no need for excessive sanding at this step.

Hope this helps,