Thread: Lapping Eschers - scratches on surface w/ DMT325

Sorry for the delay guys...I didn't get a chance to do this until a last night. I tried what Dylan and Ron suggested using 400-600 grit sandpaper. The scratches are 70% gone. I will give it more soon. Maybe under water this time?

FWIW, I've always lapped mine with the 325 and never noticed the scratches until you posted about it. Scratches taken into account, I prefer to wear my Eschers down honing razors. YMMV.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

FWIW, I've always lapped mine with the 325 and never noticed the scratches until you posted about it. Scratches taken into account, I prefer to wear my Eschers down honing razors. YMMV.

You're right Jimmy...I was just curious if it would make a difference and I haven't felt it in shaving.

As Ron said, it's negative honing surface so it should not affect the edge

Y'know Robert when I got the GDLP and found out, shortly thereafter, that it was 325 grit I figured if that was good enough for a two hundred + dollar lapping plate it was good enough for me. Lapping on up to 1k, like I know at least a couple of guys do, might be worth it in the final edge quality but I've never done it myself.

Just for gits and shiggles, I took a very dark Jnat I had, that always showed those scratches after lapping, and decided I'd get them the heck out.

Starting on 400 Diamond up to 1000, then 1500 paper, 2000 paper, then 3000 lapping powder, then 10000 lapping powder. The spurface of that stone GLEAMED, not a scratch in sight...

Until I used it again.

Now, I just lap up to 600 paper.

Did usage take off the gleam or actually put scratches back into your hone, Jim?

Originally Posted by JimR

Just for gits and shiggles, I took a very dark Jnat I had, that always showed those scratches after lapping, and decided I'd get them the heck out.

Starting on 400 Diamond up to 1000, then 1500 paper, 2000 paper, then 3000 lapping powder, then 10000 lapping powder. The spurface of that stone GLEAMED, not a scratch in sight...

Until I used it again.

Now, I just lap up to 600 paper.

Hehehe I am with ya Jim, I tried the high grit ladder for lapping too, I actually did it twice on two different finishers, found no difference in the shave and never did all that work again... Basically just what Ron said too..

It genuinely never occured to me to use a higher grit than 325 when I started honing. Guys said to me "Get the 325 as a lapping plate" so I did, used it, found it worked fine and I liked the edges so I just stuck with it.

Glad to hear theres no real difference in the edges!

A great stone. A 1200 DMT or Atoma. I use the Atoma to form a slurry and help keep my Y/G nice and smooth. Like a stick of butter. I do not think it makes any difference in performance I just like the way the stone looks after I'm done with it.
Mike

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Did usage take off the gleam or actually put scratches back into your hone, Jim?

I hesitate to call them scratches now, as they can't be felt with either the finger or the edge of the razors, they're visible lines in the surface of the stone.