Thread: lapping

do new naniwas need lapping

Yes, they do.
Not all that much, but a good lapping prior to first use is recommended

oh god more expense

Here's an idea: since a complete sharpening set includes a coarse stone, you may as well kill two birds with one stone. If you get a DMT 325 grit coarse stone, it can be your coarse stone (obviously) but in addition DMT's stay flat, so you can use it to lap any other stone too. The cheaper alternative to this would be to buy some very fine sand paper, tape it to a FLAT table and go to town.. hopefully one of these options will save SOME money. But if your problem is more so directed at the expense of buying naniwas after they are all used up, dont worry - you use them so lightly and sparingly you will use one for many years to come

Originally Posted by leadpig

oh god more expense

I just got a Naniwa SS 12k last week. Lapped it with one sheet of 320 grit wet and dry paper on a piece of glass...$1.25 and its good to go.
Grant