Thread: Did I "Break" my New Swaty?

Hello All,

I recently picked up a 2-line Swaty that looks like it has not been used at all (brand-new condition). Thinking I was doing the right thing, I broke out my DMT325 and began lapping/chamfering it. I noticed that the hone was not flat to begin with, so I took off a good amount of surface to get it flat with the DMT (took awhile!!).

Now, after the fact, I've been reading about how some barber hones should not be lapped as it can "ruin" them. So I'm just wondering; have I messed up the swaty's intended natural surface by lapping it with my DMT? It seems to be smooth to the touch now, more or less comparable to an 8k IMO, but does not feel like it did before I started lapping. I'm just afraid that I screwed up the intended honing surface & have altered the characteristics of how it's going to perform.

Here's a pic of the Swaty, just for the heck of it...Thx for any advice you may have!

Na. It's OK. You might consider rubbing one side on some finer sandpaper laid flat on something flat and true. Then, you have a 2 sided hone. One side will be finer than the other!

Oh, phew! I thought I was gonna get flamed for attempting to lap a swaty!! LOL

I do have a DMT 1200 grit sharpening card as well...would this be a better thing to use as opposed to the 325? I would imagine it would leave a finer surface..

Give it a try! I like lapping my stones with a really worn-out DMT.
Lapping barber hones is a good way to wear them out!

Do you have an Arkansas stone ??? they are really good for getting a superb finish back on a lapped BH

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Do you have an Arkansas stone ??? they are really good for getting a superb finish back on a lapped BH

I do not have any Arkie's TBH. Although I have entertained the notion of acquiring a surgical black Ark. in the past but have never pulled the trigger. Maybe this is a good excuse to do so!

sierra trading post had black stones from dan's for about $28 or something. 6x2x1/2 inches. Not big enough for much other than razors.

I got one, the quality is decent (I got it knowing that I would only use it for razors). 1/2 inch thick on the one I got would be generous, it's between there and 1/3rd, but it's glued solidly to a wooden base.

I actually ended up going with this:

Black Hard Arkansas Sharpening Stone Extra Fine | eBay

It's 4x2", which I figured I could hold in my hand, or use it to lap my Swaty...Hopefully it's the same quality as Dan's, which is what I almost went with.

These Arkies are pretty useful stones even if a razor never touches the surface, They work wonders on lapping for smoothness and the also work on many water stones to raise a slurry in a pinch.. They are so hard that I haven't ever had an issue with grit release...

I

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Do you have an Arkansas stone ??? they are really good for getting a superb finish back on a lapped BH

I've lapped many barber hones in the last 2 years, but never thought of this.
I learned something today, thanks.