Thread: Lap a new Hone?

I just bought a Norton 4000/8000 stone. Do I need to lap the new stone?
If so what is the best way? Thank you in advance.

Yes, you should lap out of the box. Check out this Wiki article - Hone Lapping 101 - Straight Razor Place Wiki

My method of choice is the DMTC under running water.

Originally Posted by ShoreBird

I just bought a Norton 4000/8000 stone. Do I need to lap the new stone?
If so what is the best way? Thank you in advance.

I used this article as a guide to get my set-up equipment: Is Straight Razor Shaving for You? - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com. This is the best online article I have seen on the subject.

This is what he says about lapping: "Lapping can be performed in several different manners including using plate glass and sandpaper. The easiest way is with an abrasive diamond plate. I use a model D8C made by the DMT company. It is coarse grit and quickly laps my Norton 4000/8000. The Chinese 12000 stone takes a bit longer because of its density but the D8C works just fine on it."

I was looking for this too. Great info.

Just don't get carried away and lap away your hone. Some guys get addicted to lapping and can't stop. really

Originally Posted by CaliforniaCajun

I used this article as a guide to get my set-up equipment: Is Straight Razor Shaving for You? - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com. This is the best online article I have seen on the subject.

This is what he says about lapping: "Lapping can be performed in several different manners including using plate glass and sandpaper. The easiest way is with an abrasive diamond plate. I use a model D8C made by the DMT company. It is coarse grit and quickly laps my Norton 4000/8000. The Chinese 12000 stone takes a bit longer because of its density but the D8C works just fine on it."

Great articloe thank you

ShoreBird,

+1 on the previous advice.

Silicon carbide paper on glass or other flat surface works very nicely.

I used this method for about a year, before I waved the white flag and bought a DMT 325 continuous diamond plate. It is so much easier and cleaner to use than the carbide paper.

However, if you intend to lap only a few stones, fairly infrequently, then I would stick with the silicon carbide paper.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Do you just put makers over the whole surface of the stone and go to lapping it?

Shorebird,

Yup; use a soft pencil to draw gridlines over your stone.

The Norton waterstones need about 15 minutes soaking in water before you start on them.

Use figure of eights or circular motions (or what you like !) until the pencil grid is removed. Re-mark pencil grid and repeat (This is because the build up of slurry will often remove the pencil grid before the hone is flat).

Flush regularly with water to remove slurry while you are flattening the stone.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

As Holli said previously, Hone Lapping 101 - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Check it out, it explains how to do it very well.