Thread: General Question and Answer Database Idea

When I get chance I plan on creating a few FAQ threads myself, so all the work will definately not fall on your hands. Getting the ball rolling is the hardest part of the project and I think that you have done a great job thus far. Thanks!

David

Originally Posted by Sticky

I'd like to add a nomination for Hone Lapping 101 for the hone section of the Q&A. It's complete w pics and pretty darn nice.

YMMV

Just checked this out ... absolutely spot on the pics make everything crystal clear for a new comer .. imho ..

Garry

I think the Hone Lapping 101 thread is ready to sticky now based on the input already received about it and discussion here.

One possible addition is that Bjorn's question and JoshEarl's answer be added to it.

Originally Posted by bjrn

When lapping the coticule, do you go to a higher grit after the 300-400 or so you start off with?

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

I don't, actually. I find the 325-grit lapping leaves a very nice surface. I also liked the surface on the Norton that I get with a DMT 325.

Josh

As always, other suggestions can be added to this later.

EDIT:
Might want to add that some folks prefer a higher lapping finish.

Originally Posted by randydance062449

May I cast a dissenting voice to this? Nothing less than a 1000 grit finish for me and my razors. But... to each their own!

Thank you very much Joe and David for your words of encouragement. They make the job all the easier

The FAQ on 'why some razors are harder to hone than others' is getting beyond my understanding so its difficult for me to tell what should go in and what shouldnt. Joe if you could have a look at it and see what you think i'd really appreciate it.

I think the most important rule of thumb to remember is that the FAQ should be for fact. Opinions belong in the forums.

Just my opinion

Originally Posted by Sticky

I think the Hone Lapping 101 thread is ready to sticky now

I guess I've got to go through this one more time...

The plan is to ultimately have one, and only one, FAQ sticky thread per forum. That thread will be locked. That thread can include and index an infinite number of topical posts, one question/answer per post... the Honing 101 FAQ would be one of these. IE, we are NOT going to sticky each individual FAQ as a thread.

Now, getting back to the hone101 thread...

I agree... it's an excellent write up. Traditionally, writeups like this have been put in the Library but I have no problem putting them in FAQs... I actually like the idea. Procedural writeups such as this will usually require more than a single post to accommodate all of the verbiage and attached pictures. I suggest we convert them to PDFs and attach the PDF to a post which is an abstract/overview of the PDF. The source document for the PDF (eg, a .doc file) can be deposited in the Library so that the original author doesn't have to worry about maintaining it for the rest of their natural lives.

As an example, I've attached a copy of the hone101 posts which I quickly pasted up and converted to a .pdf. I edited two of the pics to lighten them up a bit, but I hadn't seen Bjorn's question and the resultant answer, so that has not yet been incorporated.

That looks great!

Having an "index" post, with pointers to individual Q&A threads sounds good, but I think it really needs good "policing" to keep the threads clean (limited discussion not related to the topic).

Mostly sounds like a "wiki in forum clothes"...

Jim

Originally Posted by jcarey9149

That looks great!

Having an "index" post, with pointers to individual Q&A threads sounds good, but I think it really needs good "policing" to keep the threads clean (limited discussion not related to the topic).

Mostly sounds like a "wiki in forum clothes"...

Jim

NO, NOT individual Q&A threads, individual POSTS... POSTS... POSTS. And the discussion is limited to zero by definition because the thread will be LOCKED.

Originally Posted by jcarey9149

...
Having an "index" post, with pointers to individual Q&A threads sounds good, but I think it really needs good "policing" to keep the threads clean (limited discussion not related to the topic).
...

Originally Posted by azjoe

NO, NOT individual Q&A threads, individual POSTS... POSTS... POSTS. And the discussion is limited to zero by definition because the thread will be LOCKED.

For instance, JoshEarl's "Hone Lapping 101" thread is made up of at least 6 posts in that single thread (all those posts being needed to complete his "Q&A" faq on honing).

Hence our confusion. I assume all 6(+?) posts will be combined, in final version, into a single post. Still not certain I understand it; but as long as it works, should be great.

Originally Posted by azjoe

NO, NOT individual Q&A threads, individual POSTS... POSTS... POSTS. And the discussion is limited to zero by definition because the thread will be LOCKED.

I really meant posts. Sorry 'bout that.

So what's the status of the hone lapping 101 FAQ?

• Are we ok with the content? Any disagreements? What about the suggested changes/clarifications mentioned? Edit: ie, the discussion about what grit size flattening stone to use.
• Are we ok with having it predominantly consist of an attached pdf? eg, the FAQ post would say something like:

Why do I need to lap a hone before use and how do I do that?


Abstract:

Most hones don't come with a flat honing surface. Vintage hones are usually worn from use; new hones aren't flat because of the manufacturing process. Before you use any hone for the first time, it's a good idea to flatten it. This is called lapping the hone....

(Open the attached PDF for the complete text)

attachments:

joshearlhone101.pdf