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Lapping Shaptons
Greetings from the UK. As ever, what a great resource is the SRP!
I have realised the error of my ways and after three years of battling with a beard, have rediscovered the pleasure of a real shave.
A question, if you will... I have three Shaptons, 4k, 8k and 16k. I use these periodically to sharpen kitchen knives (some beautiful Japanese works of art) but they were bought originally for my razors. I have noticed that they have worn so that they are not flat anymore. Can I use the 4k to lap the 8k and so on or will this just clog or make the surfaces worse? I realise that I should probably invest in a diamond lapping table but what can be done in the meantime?
I also have a 1k/3k combination (made in Japan - Naniwa) - can anybody comment on the quality/ use of this?
Thanks all.
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If it's money no object just buy the Shapton lapping plate. If you're like the rest of us, take them to wet and dry paper on a tile - NB: use water. Use 220 grit, 400 and 600 to flatten and smooth them and all will be well. Old hands like to use a well worn DMT 325 but they're a bit aggressive straight out of the box.
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Thanks Maladroit. Simples! Off to find a tile...
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Shaptons tend to need to be refreshed more than they need to be flattened. You can refresh with sandpaper but a diamond plate certainly is a lot more convenient.
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Am I correct in assuming that your Shaptons are of the glass series? That is what most folks go with.
I am not most folks, and thus I have a Shapton M5 12k ceramic. It is not nearly as fast as the glass series, but it is quite hard & does not require lapping even remotely as often as I do lap it. YMMV.
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Because he said that he has the 16k, I would guess that he has the GlassStones.
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Indeed, but I have never been afraid to ask a stupid question. :D
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Thanks all. Yes indeed the glass series. Cost a fair amount as I recall but they do look the part and I can't fault the performance.
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I refresh mine with my Swaty. Don't use it enough to lap it.
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Diamond plates are always expensive in the UK. We don't get the same price deals as the USA.
DMT D8C plates 8x3 325grit are about £60-70.
Eze-lap 81M 1/4 inch plates 8x3 400 grit plates are about £50
DMD stones from Ebay 8inch 400/1000 grit are about £25 from Hong Kong. Not sure what these are like to use.
Trend do a few 8 inch stones similar in price to eze-lap.
Amtech do a range of 6 inch stones that can be had for <£10 each. I've used these and provided you check for flatness you can get them to work. Not all of them are perfect.
Wilko do a granite worktop saver for £10. It's flat enough to use with 1200 grit wet and dry or loose grit. I've got one of these and apart from a little wax and dye that they put on them for the polish they work really rather well. And the bigger size makes lapping a pleasure. I was able to grab on in Coventry Central Wilko off the shelf.