Thread: Swaty - to lap or not? That is the question

Hmmmm, I'm sorry but I am going to have to disagree with the "Dished is ok Theory" unless uneven hone wear is ok too...

Way to many toe honed and frowned razors out there in the used razor market, I would agree that people "Back in the Day" did not worry about the Hone, or the Razor just so long as it was still shaving... Myself I am going to use only flat non damaged hones on my prized babies...

Please note that I did not say it would not still shave, I just don't want bad wear on my razors...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Hmmmm, I'm sorry but I am going to have to disagree with the "Dished is ok Theory" unless uneven hone wear is ok too...

Way to many toe honed and frowned razors out there in the used razor market, I would agree that people "Back in the Day" did not worry about the Hone, or the Razor just so long as it was still shaving... Myself I am going to use only flat non damaged hones on my prized babies...

Please note that I did not say it would not still shave, I just don't want bad wear on my razors...

Would it really create uneven hone wear? I thought the most it might do is change the bevel angle (shorten the bevel width). Interesting...

Christopher

I have tried to figure it out Chris, looking at the hone wear on the razors, I have come to the conclusion that either they lifted the spine as they came across the hone or the hone wasn't flat. Perhaps it was both..

It depends on how "off" it is from being flat. If I can make 5-7 strokes on a swaty with even contact on the stone in lather I don't worry too much about it. If I can feel a problem within that few of strokes then it needs to be fixed.

I've cleaned up a few Swaty's in my day. Mostly because of damage, chips, etc...I don't remember any being dished or warped. Most were good and flat, but as I said, some had chip that weren't too bad, and I knew I could get them out. Those old Swaty's are hard, real hard. I used a DMT XX, and it took a while. My hand hurt. Once I got the stone chip free, the surface was trashed. I used the DMT325, followed by wet sandpaper, 400g up to 1000 grit. I used a small wire brush for the lettering.
The came out looking brand new. This was a good deal of work, and I'd only recommend it if you have some kind of damage to repair. For basic cleaning, a scotch brite pad works fine....

P.S. The wire brush I use is akin to a toothbrush, very soft, not stiff at all. Used by Electronic techs.

Man, you are not kidding they are hard. If they have to be lapped, re-finishing the surface is very important, great point zip! +1

I stop on the front surface at 600 and finish the back on 1000g. Finishing the lettering with wire would scare me, I have a toothbrush I use instead. It might take longer, but I'm certain of less accidental damage.

m

neither of my swatys were smooth and glassy. the one i lapped on a worn dmt325 became glassy. they may have been flat enough to use, but were flatter after lapping. people say a gassy barber hone will cut smoother and more slowly, but that may be as much about the surface abrasive being worn, as it is about the surface being lapped to a high grit. i say lap them if you want to, to whatever desired effect, be it rough or smooth.

So, (sorry to beat a dead horse), the consensus is that if the Swaty seems OK, just leave it alone?

I just got a three line fairly cheap (less than 30), and although it has some chips on the side edges (which I smoothed with 1500paper so nothing would catch), it sticks to the counter top, has a nice smooth finish.

If I am to lap it, I would have to use sandpaper, since I only have one other stone, a barber's hone which is great.

Actually, I kind of like the idea of leaving it alone and.or the idea of playing with it. However, as I read through this thread, it seems as though the leave it alone side is the general agreement, right?

BTW: The Swaty is to the naked eye flat; the last picture was posed and taken badly on a soft surface. I just wanted to get a picture of the brand.

No need to lap a barbers hone.

Thanks, I was hoping that, but the thread has some differences of opinions. My first barber's hone was already lapped and chamfered; this I got from e bay because of the price and all the good things I'd read here about Swaty's. I didn't want to start using it without double checking first.

Thanks again.