Thanks for the tips guys, sounds like I'll definitely need a DMT for lapping is the 220 okay? I know most use the 125 but I don't mind the extra time spent lapping if a 220 will work and figure the finer grit on the lapping plate can only help to give an end result with a finer scratch pattern. Seems like the naniwa SS system has a lot of believers, there's three reasons I stayed away from that when first looking, I want to buy a set and SRD offers a set with 5/8/12 so I would buy an additional 1k I was worried the jump from 1k to 5k would be a little bit more then is recommended leading to more work (which I don't mind) and more difficult progress (which I do mind). Also if I went with the SS line would it be better to buy a 1k SS or the Chosera 1k, and finally is it really possible for the 12k SS to give as fine a finish as the 16k Shapton? Thanks again guys the honing side or straights is new to me just trying to get as much knowledge as possible before jumping in.