Thread: using a coarse stone to lap a finer one works because ...?

Some stones are said to benefit from having an uber smooth finish eg some naturals & even Spyderco UF's. I believe this may be because their composition is not particularly fine but the surface can be made so.
On basic waterstones a DMTC or Atoma 400-1200 are all that's needed. The scratches are shallow enough to be no issue IME.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Use the DMT 325 flatten/clean and then start honing...


Assuming the DMT is not brandy spanking new, as it would have to have the high points knocked off

The DMT is cognacy slappy new. Fresh out of the box. As are the Naniwas.

You want to knock off the high points (some diamonds can sit higher) sharpen a Knife, axe or just use the round metal shank of a screwdiver to mellow it a bit...

The Nanniwa SS tend to swell a bit when they first get wet so let them settle before you start lapping for flatness doing grids,, keep them wet under the tap as you lap them in..

Do two or three good grids and then stop,, They can have you chasing flatness and wasting hone if you don't let them settle...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

You want to knock off the high points (some diamonds can sit higher) sharpen a Knife, axe or just use the round metal shank of a screwdiver to mellow it a bit...

The Nanniwa SS tend to swell a bit when they first get wet so let them settle before you start lapping for flatness doing grids,, keep them wet under the tap as you lap them in..

Do two or three good grids and then stop,, They can have you chasing flatness and wasting hone if you don't let them settle...

I've got a few axes and knives that wouldn't mind some more sharpening so no problem there.
Not sure about settling. Are you saying I should put them in the water and leave them for some minutes and then start on grids/flattening?

Yep about 10 or so then keep them wet after that as you walk through the grids..

The SS tend to shrink and swell just enough to drive ya loony tunes chasing a grid, so every time you use them to hone get them wet leave them for a few minutes before you start and all should be good keep them wet while you hone of course...