Thread: Lapping stones

Is there somebody who does this as a service? If they are dead flat how long would they last for somebody only sharpening thier own razor?

It's really simple to do yourself, and because of that, and because I home infrequently, I do it before each honing session.

What I do is, I take my Dia-sharp coarse (a diamond coated steel plate), that has been prepped (once) by rubbing the side of a screw driver shaft to knock off any diamonds sticking up too much, and I do figure 8s on the stone to flatten, under running water. I mark grid lines on the stone to flatten, to see where the high spots are, and stop when all the grid lines are removed.

If it looks like it was pretty uneven, I'd mark the stone again, and repeat. Occasionally, during the flattening, I'd reverse the stone.

The diamond plates aren't too expensive, and the flattening process only takes a few minutes.

+1 on the above advice! Pick yourself up a course DMT (325 grit) and watch some videos

Hone Lapping 101 - Straight Razor Place Library

Originally Posted by Augustagj

Is there somebody who does this as a service? If they are dead flat how long would they last for somebody only sharpening thier own razor?

It really depends on the individual hone. Is it synthetic or natural? What grit is it?

Some can last the rest of your life without ever needing to be lapped again. Others need to be lapped frequently.

Agreed with others here, it isn't that complex. It can be done cheap and easy. Get some 220 grit wet and dry sandpaper. Get a flat stone tile like marble, granite, etc. Put the sand paper on the stone and keep it saturated with water. You now have a lapping plate. It works great!

If you plan to sharpen only a few razors for your own use the sandpaper/tile will work out very well for you.
When choosing a tile try to find a shiny one so you can examine the reflection on its surface. If the reflection is mirror like and distortion free it is as flat or flatter than most lapping stones.
Initial flattening of a new hone is essential but is periodically needed for maintenance.
Note that most hones will loose efficiency of cut when they become contaminated from use.
As little as 2 or 3 figure 8s on a lapping device will restore the efficiency and keep the hone flat.

It sounds so simple tell you try to lap a translucent Arkansas.

Originally Posted by aaron1234

It sounds so simple tell you try to lap a translucent Arkansas.

SiC grit slurry on float glass will eat Arks for breakfast. It can be purchased in very low grits if needed.

I have 300-400-600 & 1000 grit wet/dry sand paper. Also, have a naniwa lapping stone and a DMT 325 on the way. What is recommended for lapping a Naniwa 12k finishing hone, as I have heard that the 12K doesn't like the DMT325??????