Thread: i seriously got to start honing

Definitely worth looking into the 325 DMT, it wasn't that expensive and it works marvelously...I was having trouble honing with my Norton 4k/8k and realized when I put a straight edge up to my Norton lapping stone that it was completely off, it wasn't even close to flat, I tried to flatten the lapping plate with not much success.

The DMT's take all of that hassle out, they don't ever wear down from what I'm told, can anybody confirm that who has used the same DMT for lapping for a long time?

Originally Posted by Boarder277

Definitely worth looking into the 325 DMT, it wasn't that expensive and it works marvelously...I was having trouble honing with my Norton 4k/8k and realized when I put a straight edge up to my Norton lapping stone that it was completely off, it wasn't even close to flat, I tried to flatten the lapping plate with not much success.

The DMT's take all of that hassle out, they don't ever wear down from what I'm told, can anybody confirm that who has used the same DMT for lapping for a long time?

I am pretty sure glen has posted pictures of his scaly old DMT, it looks a bit like you would expect a homeless person to look if they were a lapping plate, but I believe it is still going strong. I don't think they are immortal though.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

I am pretty sure glen has posted pictures of his scaly old DMT, it looks a bit like you would expect a homeless person to look if they were a lapping plate, but I believe it is still going strong. I don't think they are immortal though.

I don't know if they are immortal, I can safely say unless you are honing professionally it should last you several lifetimes
I still use my original one everyday, it is my most used hone on the bench, and I abuse mine as Ed just attested too hehehe


@riZani

This is a great resource to save and read and watch

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...on-2012-a.html

What makes it invaluable is that it isn't just info from the Pros, (sometimes we make things look too easy) it has info from beginners and just regular guys in there too which sometimes is easier to relate too

how about this kit Water Stone Kit

That is exactly the kit I started honing with

You might want to google it for Canada it is quite common and I believe you have Rockler stores up there and perhaps Woodcraft ??? those are also sometimes found at any well stocked hardware store...


The Lapping plate in that kit is just OK, the DMT 325 is way better, but don't get the wrong idea, I used that Norton one for my first 1000 or so razors you just have to be a bit more conscious of keep everything flat and rinsing away the grit...

Lee valley in Ottawa sells norton stones and ships in Canada.
If you don't mind spending more, pauls finest based in Montreal has a great selection of naniwa and chosera stones. I really like them, and his are thicker and come without the plastic base which is great if you like to hone in your hand.
Classicedge I believe also sells the naniwa combo stone and the dmt coarse for lapping.

oh thank god. thank you guys i appreciate the help.

Originally Posted by ri7ani

how about this kit Water Stone Kit

The 220/1000 are stones that you will not need ( 220 grit) and are not that good (1000 grit).

The bare minimum is some wet/dry sandpaper, used wet, to lap your 4/8 stone flat (220grit) and a finer grit sandpaper (320/500) to "refresh & declog" the hones when they start to accumulate to much swarf. Glen's videos demonstrate how frequently he "refreshes" the hone surface.

The next step up is a DMT 325 for the tasks of initial flattening of the 4/8 and can be used for refreshing a hones surface. The only problem with a DMT 325 is the initial cost.
A 1000 grit hone is used when a bevel has to be created or fixed. The most use comes when your working with a vintage antique store/Ebay razor. It is not part of a normal honing routine and definitely not used for routine edge refreshing.
For a 1000 grit hone I prefer the Chosera 1000. It also comes with a 600 grit slurry stone That cleans up all 3 hones, Norton 4/8 and Chosera 1K.
The Norton 220/1000 is a waste of money IMO.

Just my 2¢