Thread: Best Grits For Lapping With

I was talking with Tony Parker the other day and he said he was ready to lap his new Norton with 600 grit wet/dry paper. I remember using 1,500 grit and getting a super smooth finish. THe last time I lapped my Norton I used a Shapton 12,000 on the 8k side (thus lapping them both together, no grit contamination seems apparent after a simple rinsing) and a chinese kitchen hone of unknown, but imagined grit of about 600-800 and the finish is noticeably less smooth.

What is the best grit sand paper to use for the various grit stones in your opinion and what are the differences in honing action one can expect to experience by using a relatively coarse or relatively fine paper?

X

Edit: Kriton has hit it where I missed slightly. What's the best finishing grit to use?