Thread: New Naniwa 8k & 12k -- need treatment?

Hi all,
I got a new Naniwa 8k and 12k in the post today, and I've noticed a few little imperfections on both sides of the 8k. Little flat lumps of extra material that will surely damage the blade if I run it over them. What should I do about this?

One last question -- do these stones need any treatment prior to first use? Do I just add water and go?

Thanks!

Thats quite normal on most hones, the surfaces are not completely flat and blemish free right out of the box. Certainly none of mine have been and I've had a few haha!

You'll need to lap the stone before first use, which is basically flattening the hone completely and ensuring there are no lumps or bumps left over from manufacturing.

I do this on my stones with a DMT 325 as I know these are very flat and work well for this purpose. Other folks have used slabs of stone that they know to be manufactured flat and then put 300-500 grit sandpaper over the stone to use as a lapping surface.

I also tend to give the stones a quick swipe over with the DMT 325 after heavy use just to clean the surface off and get rid of any excess swarf build up, but generally they dont need relapping after the first time as the wear and tear is much slower when honing razors in comparison to a plane blade, axe or heavy duty knife.

Hope thats of some help!

You mean I have to buy something else? *sigh*

I've got some 240 grit sandpaper in the garage -- would that work, or is that too coarse?

Originally Posted by smolloy

You mean I have to buy something else? *sigh*

I've got some 240 grit sandpaper in the garage -- would that work, or is that too coarse?

I have used 400 grit wet and dry sand paper on a granite counter top when a stone was way out but then I still hit it a lap or two with the DMT325. Go to you tube and type in lynn abrams lapping hones and see what comes up. I think you'll find it quite interesting. Remember as long as you treat the hones and lapping plate good they will last a long long long time. I have had mine since 13 and have honed over 100 razors and some of them had nice size nicks in them and the hones still look good.

Originally Posted by smolloy

You mean I have to buy something else? *sigh*

I've got some 240 grit sandpaper in the garage -- would that work, or is that too coarse?

Go to the auto parts store and get a sheet or two of W/D 400 grit paper, then stop at your local home center an pick up a 12"X12" flat tile, should only cost about ten bucks for these materials.

The you-tube vid's by Lynn Abrams and GSSixguns (Glen Mecurio) are a very good instruction on how to prep and maintain you new stones.

I have found that a DMT 325 diamond plate is very handy for this kind of prep and maintenance, but if the cost is a factor the above supplies will do the trick.


FrankC

Originally Posted by FranfC

Go to the auto parts store and get a sheet or two of W/D 400 grit paper, then stop at your local home center an pick up a 12"X12" flat tile, should only cost about ten bucks for these materials.

Great! I have a couple of tiles lying around, so all I need is the paper and I'm good to go. Thanks a lot for your help!

Originally Posted by FranfC

Go to the auto parts store and get a sheet or two of W/D 400 grit paper, then stop at your local home center an pick up a 12"X12" flat tile, should only cost about ten bucks for these materials.

I guess this --

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weRRIQEcca0

-- is what you mean for me to do?