Thread: Should I lap or not?

Well normally I enjoy lapping a stone, it's part of the honing process. But today, something a little different arrived in the mail. I was the lucky winner of an SRD extra select grade vintage coti.



As you can see, on the one hand we have SRD stamps,





on the other, a dished stone.



I figured I'd touch up another recent acquisition, an unknown early cast steel razor, and the result was great.




It's a small stone, 6x1.5, but worth every cent. So I figure, I'll use it for touch ups and finishing and try to keep the stamps on, but one day, I might have to bring out the Atoma.

What would you guys do?

Take a picture and lap that bad boy!
Seriously, it's your hone so do what you want, I dont really see the point in saving stamps to the detriment of a razor but if you're happy to use as is it's all good. I daresay you have enough coticules to be getting on with so no need to get rid of those pretty stamps. For now...

The dishing is minimal, the results are good and you like the idea of keeping the stamps. Why would you even consider lapping it, then? Because flatter is better?

It isn't. If the dishing were more extreme, it might be useful. But even if it were quite dished and you would just finish on it (i.e. minimal impact on hone and razor), the benefit of lapping it flat would likely still be quite minimal.

Amazing coti - looks likeVeignete . Im shure you will be very pleased with it , enloy and yes lapp it .

I am guessing that lapping a narrow hone doesn't make much difference as you are using an X stroke anyway? Can anyone verify that in case I do get such a narrow hone?

Bob

You have the box anyway, so just take a pic and lap it to true... Stones like that are worth top dollar because they are top quality stones, not because they are stamped

JMHO.
If you are honing smiley razors, let 'er be!
~Richard

I had an Escher blue/green with original ink stamps. I used it occasionally and lightly, didn't lap it because of the ink stamps, until one day I lapped it. I had taken a photo of the stamps. I would leave it as is for the time being. You can always lap it, but once lapped the ink is gone. If it is performing admirably for you, why mess with success ?

Originally Posted by BobH

I am guessing that lapping a narrow hone doesn't make much difference as you are using an X stroke anyway? Can anyone verify that in case I do get such a narrow hone?

Bob

I have found no problem in doing consistent half-strokes on a 1.5" (~4cm) wide hone, which is quite a common size. After a bit of practice, I am able to do consistent half-strokes on a 1.5 cm wide coticule.

I am afraid I'm not following your logic. If there is a need for a 100% flat hone, why would the type of stroke have any influence on that need?

Originally Posted by kcb5150

You have the box anyway, so just take a pic and lap it to true... Stones like that are worth top dollar because they are top quality stones, not because they are stamped

I don't want to say anything negative, but no. These hones are worth top dollar to certain buyers exactly because they are stamped with a (subjective) qualification from X years ago by lord knows who. And if it's such a good stone, why keep the box or take pictures? Why do they matter so much then, if they are inconsequential in determining the price these hones go for? It is why Eschers with labels fetch much more than Thuringians without label or box, even when they are recognisable as Thuringians. I don't know what the OP's hone cost and nor do I care, but I'll venture a wild guess and say that, without the stamp or box, that hone would have gone for a fair bit less money.

I'm not criticising you here Frankenstein, I'm sure it will be a fine hone and you spent what you were willing to spend.

Originally Posted by Pithor

I have found no problem in doing consistent half-strokes on a 1.5" (~4cm) wide hone, which is quite a common size. After a bit of practice, I am able to do consistent half-strokes on a 1.5 cm wide coticule.

I am afraid I'm not following your logic. If there is a need for a 100% flat hone, why would the type of stroke have any influence on that need?

Never used such a narrow hone so was wondering if a lapped hone was really necessary as I thought you would use an X stroke on a narrow hone. On a 3 inch wide hone using a straight up and back stroke I can see it being more necessary. Just curious really.

Bob