Thread: In need of information on lapping and honing for a first timer

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Yes actually it is and thanks for posting it

The ones that are made in Mexico were the worst ones to get lapped in at least they have been in the past.. Please let us know how it goes

correction the 4k grit is from Italy and 8k grit is from the USA

Originally Posted by scrambowlz

correction the 4k grit is from Italy and 8k grit is from the USA

Thanks for the correction, again let us know how it goes

I'd say kitchen knives & disposable blades are a far cry from honing a straight razor as the straight has a built in honing aid called the "spine".
You'd be better off practicing on a straight razor to learn how to hone a straight razor. eBay cheapies would be one way to go but vintage not supposed damascus.

making some progress on the chosera 1000 grit my brother is slowly lapping the 4k atm. would rather go slow and get it right than to over lap and loose some stone. bevel is developing slowly but surely thanks for the tips everyone

First, you have a great set of hones. You should be able to sharpen any razor just with those.

Dump the Norton flattening stone, though. Get a DMT 325 for that. You may never need to make another hone purchase.

Also, forget the "cheap Damascus" razor. You will never get a good edge on that. These are worthless, usually made in Pakistan, and a complete waste of time.

You should be able to correct the chip with the Chosera 1K quickly. I would round the end of the toe which will make it even quicker -- others would argue. I personally would round the end of any square point, but that's just me. Then move through your 4-8-12K progression and you should be golden.

Good luck, and welcome to the fraternity!

+1 for getting a DMT lapping plate - or if you have the cash a Shapton glass diamond lapping plate - these will save you hours in lapping and do a better job.

Keep at it - watch all the videos you can and buy a cheap vintage razor off eBay to learn on first. It took me a good six weeks to learn how to hone effectively and I'm still no pro but I can put a shave ready edge on any of my razors...

Good luck!

John

I am by no means an experienced razor honer, but I am a very experienced woodworking tool honer and one thing I have experienced myself, and has always been actively talked about amongst the woodworking community, is the Norton Flattening stone not being truly flat and having some real quality control issues. I ended up getting rid of it and now use a DMT diamond plate to keep my sharpening stones flat and it definitely works better (for me at least).

This may have little impact on your use, but flat stones are a must (IMHO) to truly achieve sharp, and a flat reference is needed to keep your stones truly flat as well...

Originally Posted by ocelot27

+1 for getting a DMT lapping plate - or if you have the cash a Shapton glass diamond lapping plate - these will save you hours in lapping and do a better job.

Keep at it - watch all the videos you can and buy a cheap vintage razor off eBay to learn on first. It took me a good six weeks to learn how to hone effectively and I'm still no pro but I can put a shave ready edge on any of my razors...

Good luck!

John

is there a certain dmt lapping plate that I should purchase?

I have looked online and there are so many to choose from and I am not sure which would be best.