Thread: Naniwa flattening stone question

The only issue with the flattening stone is that it needs to be flattened too. I've got a Norton flattening stone that will do fine for most applications. Once you have it flat it should serve OK, but a diamond plate is better. Comes flat, doesn't need to be maintained to ensure flatness. CKTG sells a 400/1000 for under 40 bucks that will do everything you want. Or there's the tried and true DMT 325 route.

I have a naniwa scrubbing brick too. I like the little fella, gentler on my hones and keeps the flattening stone/lapping plates away. You can also typically scrub the swarf free with your fingers like utopian suggested, I don't break out the Naniwa brick until the stone's so loaded up that finger scrubbing fails to refresh it. I only use the lapping plate when I see a stone starting to dish a bit.

By the way, if you pick up the scrubbing brick I suggest rounding the edges on the side you'll be scrubbing with. It's something I do with all my rubbing/slurry/nagura type stones to keep them from wanting to dig in and scratch the surface of a hone.