Thread: Honing and lapping stones

The CNTG 400/1k plate is just fine for lapping and will last as long and provide as fine a finish as a DMT, and you can finish lap a high grit stone like your 8k with the 1k side.

While you can set a bevel with a 1k diamond plate, I do not recommend doing so to novice honers.

Typically new honers are in a hurry, use way too much pressure and spend way too much time on the 1k. That combined with the aggressive grit of a diamond plate will often cause more problems later, with deep stria on the bevel that can lead to chipping in the higher grits. You will then have to completely re-set the bevel at the 4k and remove even more of the edge, and if you do not use tape on the spine, you will needlessly grind the spine and potentially cause bevel angle problems.

If money is an issue, buy a King 1k, about $20. They will work just fine for all you bevel setting needs. Nortons and Naniwas are also fine stones for a bit more money. All 3 will deliver the same 1k edge, they each just feel different when honing.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

The CNTG 400/1k plate is just fine for lapping and will last as long and provide as fine a finish as a DMT, and you can finish lap a high grit stone like your 8k with the 1k side.

While you can set a bevel with a 1k diamond plate, I do not recommend doing so to novice honers.

Typically new honers are in a hurry, use way too much pressure and spend way too much time on the 1k. That combined with the aggressive grit of a diamond plate will often cause more problems later, with deep stria on the bevel that can lead to chipping in the higher grits. You will then have to completely re-set the bevel at the 4k and remove even more of the edge, and if you do not use tape on the spine, you will needlessly grind the spine and potentially cause bevel angle problems.

If money is an issue, buy a King 1k, about $20. They will work just fine for all you bevel setting needs. Nortons and Naniwas are also fine stones for a bit more money. All 3 will deliver the same 1k edge, they each just feel different when honing.

The king is not a 3" wide stone though correct? This is the one that I've seen recommended here:

Robot Check

There are 3" wide king 1k stones. The smaller one works fine though. Also I use a diamond plate to initially set the bevel if it's far away from being set and then go to my 1k to smooth things out before proceeding. At $20 for a king you can't go wrong...

Yea, that one is 7X2, but for a few bucks more you can get the 8X2.75in stone without the base.

Either one will work, larger is better, when learning.