Thread: Spyderco M, F, and UF lapping

Has anyone lapped these and if so, could you recomend what I should use to do it... besides patience.

Thank you

FWIW, they are supposedly guaranteed to be flat enough .... whatever that is... by the manufacturer. Spyderco says that if you lap them you void the warranty IIRC ? I have a set that were flattened on one side when I got them but not the other. I have messed with both sides and I don't care for either side although some people like them and get good results out of them.

I hear they are an absolute bear to flatten. I would try them as is and see if you don't get good results with the factory finish. According to Spyderco the stones will be ruined if flattened. Here is a quote from Cutting Tools and Abrasives, "Spyderco stones do not require any special maintenance such as flattening, simply an occasional cleaning with any powered cleanser is all thats needed to refresh the surface and keep these stones in top shape. Spyderco bench stones are flat (guaranteed within .020) and broad (2" x 8"). Ideal for sharpening and polishing a wide variety of tools from chisels to plane blades."

Thanks. I was hoping that would be the case. I did hone a Dovo, and it's the sharpest I have ever gotten anything in my life, but am new to the straight razor, so it's not quite like leather tools and knives. The Dovo did not come shaving sharp, so I honed with the three Spyderco's and stopped, then did a HHT. Would pop the hair in some places, split it in others, so I think I need more practice. They did seem to be very flat from the factory. I just didn't know what kind of experience folks here had with them.

I have a spyderco sharpmaker, and the stones it comes with are very very good! I havent removed any material from them at all, i sharpen knives, not razors on it lol. And i just wash it under warm soapy water and its like new again! I dont know if its the same material as the stones you mentioned, but i just know its Spyderco, and the stones are good.

Well, got my first good shave yesturday after honing a new Dovo on the stones without lapping. I got a very good shave from it (much better than before it has honed).
I like the Spyderco stones. I have used their Sharpmaker triangle rods for a long time and a pocket stone and could always get wicked edges on knives and my leather tools.
Tonight will be the real test. I just got a new Dovo from Straight Razor Designs, and so we will see how far off my honing ability is. If I get a remarkedly better shave from the new razor, I'll start wearing down my others practicing.

I haven't lapped my medium or fine Spydercos, but I do have three UF's, two of which have been lapped. It used to be said that it was the machined marks on the surface that provided the effective grit of the hone, and that the fine and UF were the same ceramic recipe. I don't know about that, but I am certain the lapped UF's are capable of a much finer edge than the unlapped one. I prefer the 3" lapped UF as the last stone a razor sees to my other super finishing stone, the Shapton Pro 30k, which is enough to make me weep considering the price differential! I lapped them with a DGLP, but I don't see why some 3M diamond paper on a marble tile shouldn't work after enough time and effort.

Chris

Originally Posted by drmoss_ca

I haven't lapped my medium or fine Spydercos, but I do have three UF's, two of which have been lapped. It used to be said that it was the machined marks on the surface that provided the effective grit of the hone, and that the fine and UF were the same ceramic recipe. I don't know about that, but I am certain the lapped UF's are capable of a much finer edge than the unlapped one. I prefer the 3" lapped UF as the last stone a razor sees to my other super finishing stone, the Shapton Pro 30k, which is enough to make me weep considering the price differential! I lapped them with a DGLP, but I don't see why some 3M diamond paper on a marble tile shouldn't work after enough time and effort.

Chris

Thanks!
I think I will be getting the 3 inch UF and then giving that a lap. Thanks.
I had great success this weekend. First I shaved with my Dovo that was honed by Straight Razor Designs. Got a very good. Then I used my Dovo that I honed on the Spyderco stones. Just as good a shave. I did strop on a Chromium Oxide pasted strop, then on plain leather, but the shave was just as baby bottom smooth. No cuts or nicks.

My only lapping advice is this: avoid using a diamond plate you care about. I bought some that were lapped, and I tried to clean them up (a few spots that were unfinished on the surface)...

The fine and Ultrafine ate a DMT plate in no time. The medium was a bit softer, but still brutal.

I would go for the sandpaper route if I had to do it again... which I hope I never will.