Thread: Lapping question...

Would it be possible to lap a hone with a DMT plate if the dimensions of the hone were larger than the plate? I know, probably a silly question.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, but first, a hone does not have to be perfectly flat to hone a razor, just smooth.

You could lap sections at a time,(the high spots), then lap to blend the sections. If you grid the stone continually and use a straight edge you could get the stone flat.

It was done all the time with wood and a hand plane, a similar principal.

You could also use wet and dry sand paper or lose grit. What kind of hone is it, and how large is it?

The stone is 8" and I could get a real steal on a 6" DMT brand diamond plate. Even at that, it wouldn't be worth it if I couldn't use it on my stone.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

8 inch plates are not that much more, look at the 400/1000 grit plate from Chef Knives to Go at $35 if money is an issue.

This plate is just as good as my DMTs. And the 1k side comes in very handy for repair work.

You will be using the stone all the time, to re-surface your stones, I lap my stones before I start and when I feel the lightest tug of built up swarf. It is just easier to give them a quick swipe and have a clean cutting surface.

A larger plate, is faster and easier to use. Along with being shorter 6 inch plates are narrower. For most guys a diamond plate is a life time purchase.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

For most guys a diamond plate is a life time purchase.

Seriously? I've heard of people burning through multiple DMTs trying to flat lap just 1 arkie. Just saying. I cannot speak from experience though. I never tried it myself.

I've looked at the CKTG plates before. They look good. Do you think they would be dead flat like a genuine DMT?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

They are certainly flat enough to lap stones for razors, Dead flat is a myth.

Yup, no one recommends lapping Arks with diamond plates. You will need lose silicon carbide grit to lap an Ark.

I don't think dead flat is a myth. I just think it's expensive. More expensive than I'm willing to go.

...like a lab quality 12"x12" granite plate guaranteed within .00005in for $200ish

My non-lab quality 12"x12" granite "plate" not guaranteed for anything set me back $5 from the flooring department at Lowes! Hah hah hah!! Good enough for me.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Yup, no one recommends lapping Arks with diamond plates. You will need lose silicon carbide grit to lap an Ark.

This. Diamond plates are for everything BUT an Ark. I've owned many, but never surfaced them until recently. You might as well be trying to polish glass or diamond. So yea, an Ark or similarly hard stone can wear them out quick. Synthetics and most naturals won't hurt them though.

Talking about dead flat stones.

Even if you could lap a stone dead flat, how long would it stay that way and would it matter? After the first lap, it is no-longer “Dead Flat”.

I don’t think folks that use stones daily, worry much about, if their stones are dead flat. It just does not matter.

I defy anyone to able to detect the quality of an edge honed on a dead flat surface and one honed on a smooth surface.

Marty is trying to explain the difference in relation to what we do..

Smooth surfaces matter, Flat is simply not as critical for SR honing..

There is WAY to much emphasis placed on the "Idea" of dead flat on all the SR pages and Fora, a smooth even surface is really all you need..

In answer to your OP Buy the largest plate you can afford, it just makes life and lapping easier, it really does