Thread: Shapton 16k oops!

I maintain my shaptons with a piece of Iyo stone abot 1/3 the size of my Shaptons. Once in a while I check to see if they are flat with the DMT, but doing it this way cleans and leaves a scratch free surface that feels the best for me. I start on the ends where the wear is less and lightly bring the slurry over the rest of the stone. They stay flat for a very long time this way.

Good input, so what kind of motion should be used while lapping?

A circular or back & forth type of motion....etc

Originally Posted by sharpshavefun007

Good input, so what kind of motion should be used while lapping?

A circular or back & forth type of motion....etc

All the above, if you think about it even turning the stone around on your lapping plate is wise because you eliminates your errors of uneven pressure.
While cleaning with smaller plate it is wise to concentrate on places that don't have swarf and feather that into the swarf built up areas and you will keep your stones flatter longer.

Originally Posted by sharpshavefun007

I received my NEW Shapton 16k glass stone today and got a little bit to excited to use it.

I am so programmed to using my soap/water spray bottle I used it on my new Shapton glass stone to hone a razor.

Did I just completely destroy my NEW Shapton?

Oh golly .....
I have seen a number of do not worry
responses pass by... I believe that
you are fine if you rinse it and use it.

Now if you are terribly concerned you might
consider sending it to me for an 18 month evaluation
to see if it has been damaged. Or I could send my
old swayback WASHITA WHETSTONE in fair exchange.

Originally Posted by sharpshavefun007

Good input, so what kind of motion should be used while lapping?

A circular or back & forth type of motion....etc

+1 on the reply from Kingfish

I like a figure eight pattern.
Remember that you are only lapping
half the thickness of a sheet of paper
or less from the hone.

If you can see an even pattern of gray swarf
with scratches between you have worn
the hone less than the depth that the scratches
measure. i.e. little or no need to lap the hone.

Also pay attention to how you use your hones.
The ends often get higher than the center so
knowing this you can run extra circles on those high
spots and let a razor use up the hone not the lap.

The Shapton stones can be the flattest of all stones when used with the DGLP. The DGLP is flatter than the DMT stones by another two decimal points. The DMT is flat to within .001" over the surface and the Shaptons are flat to within .00001" over the surface. Does it matter? Yes, in my opinion, as whatever you're sharpening will be flat to at least one decimal place less than the stone's surface. The DGLP is a precision tool and precision always costs more money! The DMT will do the job on a Shapton but you're not getting the value out of the Shapton that you could be getting. It also voids the warranty on the Shapton. I use DMTs on most everything around here - all kinds of tools and to flatten Belgians and other waterstones like Nortons. My Shaptons get flattened with the DGLP and my edges show it.

You really can make a science out of lapping a stone,
but I find it hardly necessary

WHOA, So now I gotta buy a Diamond lapping plate

I could buy 3 more Shapton 16k glass for the price of one of them!

That's one hell of an expensive warranty!

Originally Posted by Howard

Does it matter? Yes, in my opinion, as whatever you're sharpening will be flat to at least one decimal place less than the stone's surface.

The reason I don't own a DMT is that while I agree that it matters, I just don't think it matters enough to warrant the astronomical pricetag. The last time I looked, the DGLP was $250-$300, and you can get a DMT for less than $45.

Is the DGLP better? Certainly.

Is it $205-$255 better? I seriously doubt it.


Granted, if I was honing razors commercially I might take a different stance. Right now, I think I've only ever put less than half a dozen razors in the classifieds, (although I keep meaning to put up a few) and I've never charged anyone for honing.

[QUOTE] Like almost all stones/hones the Shapton GS hones need an initial lapping. Because of the properties of the polymer abrasive matrix they also should be given a light lapping before each use. They are relatively thin, but will provide years of service for the average user. I have a set of these hones and don't consider their lapping requirements to be out of the ordinary or a particular hardship.
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Bill S
Senior Moderator [QUOTE ]
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I still recommend lapping Shapton GS between honing sessions.
Consistent lapping equals consistent edges. Pencil grids after a honing session bear this out.