Thread: WHICH LAPPING STONE OR SANDPAPER?

I have a set of Naniwa 5 - 12K and a Norton 4/8k.
What is the best (and easiest to use) lapping stone that I can get that can be used with all the above stones? I have heard that the DMT 8k does the trick?
Also if I want to save a bit of money will sandpaper lapping give as good a result as a lapping stone?

Originally Posted by tavli

I have a set of Naniwa 5 - 12K and a Norton 4/8k.
What is the best (and easiest to use) lapping stone that I can get that can be used with all the above stones? I have heard that the DMT 8k does the trick?
Also if I want to save a bit of money will sandpaper lapping give as good a result as a lapping stone?

I recently got some wet/dry sandpaper in 220 and 600 grit. Pretty darn cheap. I lapped a 12K Naniwa and it worked quite well. First did 220 then did again at 600. I found sandpaper easier to use because of its huge surface area compared to any lapping plate.

I also bought some emery 150 cloth but that doesn't work well. I was surprised to see that the emery cloth curled up badly when wet making it pretty much useless.

Brand name was Gatorgrit from a small local Ace hardware. I was surprised that Lowes did not carry anything useful. Didn't get to a Home Depot so can't say anything about them.

I have the 45/60 grit DMT for lapping. Works very well. You need something fairly course in grit if you want it to work fast. Some use 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper but it is real sticky with the water tension. I say try the sandpaper first.... Nothing to lose.

I have a 325 grit DMT and that works great for lapping all my hones.

You cant use an 8k stone to lap a 4k, you need a grit lower than the stone you want to lap. So a 325 to lap a 1k, or a 1k to lap a 5k etc...

The DMT 325 will work with all the stones you mention and will give a good flat surface. You can also use it for major edge repairs as well..!

Sandpaper will work too, but you'll need a flat surface to put it on. Plus the sandpaper will not be as durable as the DMT and it may leave little bits of grit on the face of the hone, which the DMT will not do in my experience.

My personal choice would be the 325 DMT.

Another vote for the DMT continuous plate in either the C (325) or the XX in 120 IIRC. The 325 can also double for kitchen knives and the XX will make lapping barber hones a lot easier.

When I hone with my Naniwas, Nortons or whatever I am in front of the kitchen sink and lap the swarf that tends to load up every so often. Not something I could do easily if I used sandpaper. My plate is in the sink ready to go throughout the honing process. Very convenient.

If purchasing solely for lapping, I'd go with the DMT XX. I use the X and even it takes a LOOOOOOOONG time to lap hard stones like my Swatys. But I've also used higher grits on them, just takes a lot more time.

However, based on my King, I kind of suspect the Nortons and Nani's are way softer than swaty. So C may work fine.

Originally Posted by TexasBob

I recently got some wet/dry sandpaper in 220 and 600 grit. Pretty darn cheap. I lapped a 12K Naniwa and it worked quite well. First did 220 then did again at 600. I found sandpaper easier to use because of its huge surface area compared to any lapping plate.

seconded,
I used 3M wet/dry sandpaper 220 as well if I recall correctly, worked wonderfully