Thread: Barber hone lapping question

Am I out of my mind or on the right path.

I am honing 1 of 3 I received today. An Apart which is pretty heft in weight for its size.

I am grid lapping at each level with wet/dry. I'm currently just finishing up 600 grit and my arms are falling off.

180 grit (grid lapped twice)
220 grit (grid lapped twice)
440 grit (grid lapped twice)
600 grit (grid lapped twice)
1000 grit (yet to go)
2000 grit (yet to go)
2500 grit (yet to go)

So, am I on the right path or overdoing it or what?

that is how it is done. If there are no chips, scratches or warps I have no idea why you would put yourself through that. If they are flat and smooth just give them a quick scrub and use them.

Originally Posted by RezDog

that is how it is done. If there are no chips, scratches or warps I have no idea why you would put yourself through that. If they are flat and smooth just give them a quick scrub and use them.

Shaun, I could kiss you. I just thought that's the way it was done. The Apart has no chips.

Again, I'm so glad I asked. It was getting increasingly difficult to lap out the 2nd grid at 600 grit. My arms are quivering and my muscles are not unused to a workout.

Thanks man.

I may be a philistine but I often give them a short scrub with soft scrub or vim cream and a nail brush. I would try not to be very vigorous, and if you have a scotchbrite that is safe for glass it could jump in there too. They are usually blue, but maybe just at my grocery store.

I think I misunderstood the "Lapping a barber hone" over at R&S.

I was under the impression that the higher grit I went, the more the surface would be polished and the better results would be achieved.

Looks shinier...could be I just cleaned the gunk off one side....

you have that right. You just don't always need to lap them. Often they are fine as found. Once you have started you need to take it too the end. I only lap to 2000 though.

I kept lapping in secret. I'm already up to two thousand. Why not to 2500? I've got it in my. Then lap it with the Naniwa 3k! WOot!(semi-kidding)

that is a very simple answer. Locally the highest grit available is 2000. If I want higher grit I have to either wait until I travel overseas or have it sent from Canada. Up to 2000 has worked ok for me. After that I usually sharpen my pocket knife first and that will burnish the hone lightly as well. I usually use soapy water or lather, depends what is handy.

I find that burnishing with a Arkansas hone or other hard stone, is much faster than burnishing with steel.

Jonathan