Thread: Lapping issue

Ok I've got an old Wostenholm that I'm having some problems with. I just got a new norton 4k 8k and I really like the abrasiveness to it. I don't have a flattening stone and I can't afford to buy one right now. I have marked the stones and used an old very abrasive stone to take the initial grit out of it and I am able to get the razor pocket knife sharp but I can't get the bevel set. I have tried the circle progression a few times on the 4k side and though I get a good edge the bevel is definitely off and I know its because I can't get the stone flat. So my question is is there any other way I can get it flat? I know using sandpaper isn't a good idea because of the grit coming out. Am I stuck until I can afford to buy a Lapping stone or is there any other way around it just for a temporary solution?

A good high grade W/D sandpaper works great for me and have no problems with contamination. Granite or marble floor tile from HD or Lowes they'll cut to any size you want and Norton or 3M 400 & 600.

Thanks! I had heard somewhere no to go the sandpaper route. I hope its not a problem with the way I'm going about it. I have watched videos of Lynn setting the bevel with the circle method and I have been extremely careful not to lift the edge and the water displacement is perfectly even but it definitely isn't cutting a consistent bevel all the way across. I'm almost certain that its the stone and not me. I will try out some good high git 3m and mark it hopefully that will take care of it otherwise its something I'm doing.

you can also lap with a 220 stone as long as it is flat. Setting the bevel on a 4K is a long process and you should expect to be at it for some time, it does work though.

The old flat stone i have is pretty abrasive. If I had to guess I would say its between 700 and 1k maybe more. I watched my grandfather sharpen his old case pocket knife a bunch on it. I think its an oil stone but I really couldn't tell you that for sure either. The only thing I have ever used was water stones. I am afraid that if I tried to set the bevel on that old thing I'd do more harm than good because its only about an inch and a half or two wide and about an inch thick and 4 or 5 long. So as far as that goes I'd rather wait and buy a good 1k that i can put the full width of the blade on. Being new to honing straights I am trying to get into the right practice before I go experimenting with unknowns. I'm not new to sharpening just new to honing something that isffor cutting hair.

Before I had a lapping plate, I used drywall sandpaper (screen) on glass. It wasn't particularly fast but it did the trick. At the time, I used it on an old king 1k/6k that was my only stone. I have also used W/D sandpaper in higher grits for finer stones.

Chris

Originally Posted by TonyFranklin

The old flat stone i have is pretty abrasive. If I had to guess I would say its between 700 and 1k maybe more. I watched my grandfather sharpen his old case pocket knife a bunch on it. I think its an oil stone but I really couldn't tell you that for sure either. The only thing I have ever used was water stones. I am afraid that if I tried to set the bevel on that old thing I'd do more harm than good because its only about an inch and a half or two wide and about an inch thick and 4 or 5 long. So as far as that goes I'd rather wait and buy a good 1k that i can put the full width of the blade on. Being new to honing straights I am trying to get into the right practice before I go experimenting with unknowns. I'm not new to sharpening just new to honing something that isffor cutting hair.

Hey Tony - if that 1x5 is flat, throw it on your palm with your fingers out and go at it. No harm in that! Use oil if its an oil stone.

Put some electrical tape on the spine just in case A. The stone is more aggressive than you think and B. You discover that your stones are fine, but your blade is bent!

It might take a little more time, but it should work just fine.

Not to be funny, but if you are short of funds, you need to get creative. Creative and careful lol!!

I may do that. I got another razor in the mail today and it honed up fine with the norton. It has some really neat scales Btw. I know its off topic but its an old Henkels I assume it is a full hollow. About that Wostenholm I was having trouble with, I took really hard look at it and I am pretty positive the blade is not bent. The hone wear is uneven but it was like that when I got it. The hone wear is not all that bad on the spine. I haven't measured it but I think its a 6/8 half hollow or possibly bigger. Either way the blade has some meat on its bones. I'll post pictures of both of them. I finally got a half decent bevel with the 4k but its still got a way to go. I really look forward to getting it in shaving condition its got a nice weight and balance although it is nothing fancy it may be my favorite feeling razor.

The one giving me problems is the one with the plan blacks scales

Originally Posted by TonyFranklin

The one giving me problems is the one with the plan blacks scales

No working lol!