Thread: Lapping a Tam O Shanter Hone

I have a Tam O Shanter fine hone that requires lapping, one side has a little gouge out of it, the other is unused. I'd like to get both sides nice and flat.

For my Superstones I use a DMT 325 for lapping, but am concerned about spoiling the DMT 325 due to the hardness of the Tam O Shanter. Does anyone know if I'm OK using the DMT 325, or is it best to stick to sandpaper on glass?

Any help appreciated.

I have used a DMTC 325 on Tams, coticules, eschers and all of my synthetics above 1k with no problems. Just do it in the sink with a bit of water running the swarf off to protect the nickel on your plate.

Many Thanks, that's this afternoon's project then!

Just out of curiosity, why do you want both sides lapped? Tam's don't clog, do they?

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Just out of curiosity, why do you want both sides lapped? Tam's don't clog, do they?

+1, a waste of good stone especially if you're going to have to get below the gouge you mentiond.

I think you're both right, just me being pedantic, I'll leave the gouged side.

The other side has the original sticker still on it. I think someone took it out of the box, tried it, gouged it, and never touched it again. I've attached a photo, it's the size of a barber hone.

I bought it as I heard they're good for Wacker Inox Razors. I have one of his MoDoSo razors and it's the only razor I've never been able to get a good edge on.

If you spray some water on the label side in short order you'll be able to peel the label off easily if it is anything like the couple of Tams I've had. You can reglue on the gouged side or just put the label off to the side and lap the side without the gouge. BTW, if you don't do it that way you'll probably find the label will peel off anyhow once you've been honing with it and it gets wet. That is, if it is anything like those I've had.

Well, all done, it was amazing just how rough this stone was in the NOS condition. It took about 10 minutes to get it lapped in. The label came off in one piece once I'd soaked it and I've put it in the box. Many thanks for the assistance.