Thread: Just bought Genuine thuringian water hone for razors

Hi guys,

I just won this
Any advice on how to lap it when it arrives be appreciated, and if anyone's got exp with this particular variant I'd like to hear their experience etc. Any help is appreciated thank you!

Regards,

John

Congratulations!

For lapping I'd use a diamond plate if you have one. I use a 1200 grit plate. If you don't have one, then wet/dry sandpaper on a flat surface like plate glass will also work. A pencil grid may be difficult to see, but try it anyway - lap until the grid disappears and then lap again.

I have a similar stone, and I use it as a (pre) finisher. It is good as a finisher too, but of course these things fall into the progression you have an I have a Jnat that I use after. A very nice little stone to develop your X-stroke on, and useful for finishing all razors, but particularly helpful for blades with a smile or that require a rolling stroke.

Good luck!

James.

Thanks for replying Jimbo,

I have a very new DMT 325, is that too course for this one? Perhaps I have to head down to carbatec again

If your lucky the stone won't be glued down, and the bottom will be in better shape. But if that's not the case, don't sweat it. These stones are soft (relatively) and lap very easily (comparatively). When I got my thuri it was trashed to bits, but I believe it took me less than two hours to lap it up through 800 grit, smooth out some more on an ark, screw up and put some deep scratches back into it, take those out and polish back up, and bevel the sides. I used 60 grit sandpaper on another flat stone to get it flat, then I jumped to 400 grit, then 800, and lastly rubbed it against a polished translucent. In all honesty I think I could have gone straight to 800 from the 60, it lapped really fast. The best thing is that it only took me 2 or 3 pieces of 60 grit (less than 1 full size sheet). Harder hones wear out a piece in just a few minutes.

Just grab a large cooking bowl (the type you use for mixing ingrediants), fill it most of the way up with water and plop down in front of the tv. Keep everything very very wet as you sand, so you don't breath the dust, and keep it over the bowl so you don't make a mess. Then all you have to do is space out for an hour or so.

It worked for me, but it may not work for you. Good Luck!

Edited to add, That's a really pretty stone. Post pics when you get it.

Originally Posted by saitou

Thanks for replying Jimbo,

I have a very new DMT 325, is that too course for this one? Perhaps I have to head down to carbatec again

Since it is new, follow Dia-Sharp's instructions and make sure you 'break it in'. Take a chisel, plane iron, or if you don't have one, a large screw driver and run the shank back and forth on the plate to knock down any high spots. Make sure you go over the edges/corners well to knock down any divots. Do this on a wet plate with a drop or two of dish soap. Following that treatment the plate is ready for lapping waterstones. Best results if done under the tap with a bit of running water IME.

The DMT 325 is perfectly OK for lapping such stones.

I lapped mine with a DMT 325 but finished it up on 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper. That may have been more for me than for it, but I felt better, and that is what matters.

The DMT's are fine for lapping, The C (325) and XX (120) my favorite. You can absolutey finish with higher grit sandpaper, like, 600 - 1000. That does give the stone a nice look and feel to it.

I've lapped a few of the glued in the box Thuringians. It's a pain, but doable. I let it dry upside down aftewards. If you can get the stone out easily, that's a plus.

Very nice pick up John. The Thuringian is a great finishing stone. You can use my DMT325 to lap it the next time you come around if you want. Mines had a bit of use so it's ideal for lapping the Thuringian.

I am waiting on one that's almost identical! We'll have to compare!