Thread: Type of sandpaper for lapping hone? Newbie's first!

So, I'm getting ready to buy my first hone (Norton 4/8k combo) and want to make sure I keep it well. I understand that silicon carbide paper is what is used for restoring blades or metal... Is that what is used for lapping, too? As for brands, I'm looking at 3M and Norton. What type of paper is allowed for lapping? Thanks!

I decided on the hone after finding an old post of Lynn's stating it was the only hone he owned for years. Thanks for the tip, Lynn!

Yep, some 325 grit wet and dry from 3M will do the job nicely. Just remember you need to
have the paper on a flat surface for it to be any good for lapping.

Right. And, sorrry if this is redundent... But, we're talking silicon carbide paper?

get your standard wet/dry from the hardware store, rubber-cement it to a plate of glass, and run a rolling pin over it to flatten the bumps. IF you don't use a rolling pin or something similar after, you'll be sorry you didn't.

Originally Posted by strudel

get your standard wet/dry from the hardware store, rubber-cement it to a plate of glass, and run a rolling pin over it to flatten the bumps. IF you don't use a rolling pin or something similar after, you'll be sorry you didn't.

Nice tip. Seems pretty obvoius now that i think about it...wish i had thought of that before i struggled with the paper moving under my stone

If someone has a moment, would you please point me to a hone maintance wiki. Thank you! I know there is one around, I've run across it once, but can't find it again. Not lapping. But, storage, soaking, etc. Thanks, again!

Originally Posted by holeHeartless

Nice tip. Seems pretty obvoius now that i think about it...wish i had thought of that before i struggled with the paper moving under my stone

I got a 1' x 1' granite (maybe marble?) tile from Home Depot for about $10. Wet sandpaper has just enough "stiction" to adhere to the tile when I flatten stuff on it. I haven't needed rubber cement, yet.

Charles

Peasel,

Please have a peek here :

Category:Hones - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Rubber cement? No, no, no! I have been using wet/dry sandpaper to lap hones for years and never used any type of glue or tape. Yes the sandpaper may move but that is usually because your pressing to hard. Simply wet the sandpaper, front & back, then lay it down on a flat surface and lightly run the hone over it. After that the paper should pretty much stay in place.

For you new guys, when your lapping a hone and pressing to hard you run the risk of embedding abrasive grit from the sandpaper into the hone. To check for this rinse the hone after your finished witrh lapping then place the hone under running water, wash off any loose debris and use a nylon scrub pad and run it over the surface of the hone to dislodge any embedded particles. Next take a spare razor and run it lightly over the hone to see if any embedded particles remain.

Hope this helps,

Thanks, but that is where I keep ending up and can't find the article addressing how to care for a hone, PAST lapping it. Still looking...