Thread: Lapping a Barber Hone

how long does it take to lap a freakin' barber hone?
I bought a marble tile and 320 grit wet/ dry sand paper. Not after two hours, this stone still isn't completely flat.

It's a two sided hone and that is only one side of it. I can't imagine how long for the coarse side.

Is it normal to take that long? If I purchased a Norton combo hone is it going to take this long all over again?

Ok rant over, back to the grind.

Most barber hones are EXTREMELY hard, so it can take a long time to lap them. Don't be afraid to put some weight into it, really speeds things up.

The up side of being so hard, and lapping so slowly, is that they RARELY need to be lapped. If you're only using a barber hone for touch-ups, you should lap it when you get it, and probably won't need to lap it again until you have used it MANY times. With only 5 light passes for each use, you might use it 100 times before it needs to be lapped again.

The norton should lap MUCH faster, but also need to be lapped regularly.

Originally Posted by VeeDubb65

Most barber hones are EXTREMELY hard, so it can take a long time to lap them. Don't be afraid to put some weight into it, really speeds things up.

The up side of being so hard, and lapping so slowly, is that they RARELY need to be lapped. If you're only using a barber hone for touch-ups, you should lap it when you get it, and probably won't need to lap it again until you have used it MANY times. With only 5 light passes for each use, you might use it 100 times before it needs to be lapped again.

The norton should lap MUCH faster, but also need to be lapped regularly.

Thanks, I'll just keep at it, after I got out for sandpaper for the third time.

You may want to get lower grit...... the lower the grit, the faster the work.
Try 220 grit, OR go the the hardware store and get the SIC sheet paper used to sand drywall, it is waterproof and about 60 or 80 grit, if they don't have 60 - 80, then 120 - 150 grit will do... that will get things going.
Then use the 320, then 600 and 1000 wet/dry paper to smooth the surface.

Originally Posted by smythe

You may want to get lower grit...... the lower the grit, the faster the work.
Try 220 grit, OR go the the hardware store and get the SIC sheet paper used to sand drywall, it is waterproof and about 60 or 80 grit, if they don't have 60 - 80, then 120 - 150 grit will do... that will get things going.
Then use the 320, then 600 and 1000 wet/dry paper to smooth the surface.

I picked up some 220 this afternoon and was going to ask some questions about progressing to higher and higher grits. But you answered my question before I asked. The 220 seems to be cutting it fast enough. I'll go to 600 next and then 1000.

Originally Posted by joscobo

I picked up some 220 this afternoon and was going to ask some questions about progressing to higher and higher grits. But you answered my question before I asked. The 220 seems to be cutting it fast enough. I'll go to 600 next and then 1000.

Just take your time and wash off the paper frequently as it'll cut less effectively with a lot of barber hone slurry in with the water. Once it's flat with the coarse grit the rest should go fairly smoothly as you'll just be smoothing out the previous grits scratches (much like in honing when you polish the bevel after it has been set with the coarser grit).

I've just picked up a set of 3 barber hones.

I want to lap them and get rid of some nicks from the edges.

I'm also getting the 2 Naniwa lapping plates (60k and 220k) from SRD.

For the nicks on the edges - do you just use low grit sandpaper to smooth it out?

For lapping the surfaces - would the 220k lapping plate be good? (Based on above, I'm assuming yes).

Thanks,
Michael.

The end point is the primary focus when you start to put your razor on the hone. Therefore, there are a miriad of ways to take the hown down to the preferred state, before you start on the road to refine the scratch marks. Sandpaper, diamonds, coarser stones, etc. will all work for the primary preparation.

Lewis

As far as you hone is flat scratches doesn't play too much role. will not affect to the blade.