Thread: New guy honing on Naniwa 12K SS - big thank you SRP

[QUOTE=Euclid440;1722281]The 12k Super/Specialty stone, all the stones in that series, are notorious for loading up. Frequent refreshing/resurfacing is needed and will provide a better honing surface and edge.

A diamond plate for doing so, is a good investment. Chef Knives to Go makes a very nice 400/1000 dual grit 8X3 diamond plate for $35.

I agree diamond plates are a good investment. Can't recommend the CKTG plate. I purchased one, and the diamonds are coming off. probably good for sharpening knives. Not good for lapping. Just my experience...

[QUOTE=relli1130;1724689]

Originally Posted by Euclid440

I agree diamond plates are a good investment. Can't recommend the CKTG plate. I purchased one, and the diamonds are coming off. probably good for sharpening knives. Not good for lapping. Just my experience...

I did pick up one of those CKTG 400/1000 plates and used the 1000 side to lap the stone. It took a while but worked. What was your experience with the CKTG plate? How long did it last for you?

Have you tried cleaning it with a nail brush and soft scrub? They look like they are loosing their diamonds but often they are just getting plugged up.

Lap stones under running water, or you will pull diamonds out, from any plate.

As said, it is probably just clogged, stiff brush and cleanser, can revive a clogged plate,
I like Barkeepers Friend.

[QUOTE=micksonline;1724690]

Originally Posted by relli1130

I did pick up one of those CKTG 400/1000 plates and used the 1000 side to lap the stone. It took a while but worked. What was your experience with the CKTG plate? How long did it last for you?

It still works, but after 4 or 5 months, there are large bare spots on both sides.

Wow! I stand corrected. On several counts. First, I don't own the CKTG plate! I thought I did, but then I recall purchasing my plate elsewhere. It is similar though - a 400/1000 combo plate. Anyway, thanks Euclid for the tip. Here you will see my before and after photos. I thought the diamonds were peeling off my plate. But it was just clogged. I used Comet and a stiff plastic brush. Nearly good as new! I was seriously looking to purchase an Atoma b/c of the good reviews. Now that I know what to do, I'm hoping I'll have this plate for a long time. I do like the fact that the 1000k gives my stones a nice clean polish with less grooves on my Norton. So, in hindsight, if the CKTG plate performs like mine, I would recommend...sorry for any confusion

use the 400 side for the heavy lifting. then use the 1000 side to reduce the grooves left behind with the 400 side. you should be left with a nice polish on the stones. That's what I do anyways, and it seems to work for me.

I just posted some photos of before and after since I cleaned my lapping plate with comet and a stiff brush. My plate is as good as new. Sorry if I gave you reason to be concerned with my previous post. My plate was simply clogged, and I didn't know that. I now realize I don't have the CKTG plate. I have a different one, but it is similar b/c it is a 400/1000 combo plate. My apologies.

In most cases the 400 is perfectly adequate for lapping or refreshing a hone, with no need to use the 1k side.

Can you just use wet sandpaper, like 400 grit?

Originally Posted by JayR

Can you just use wet sandpaper, like 400 grit?

It will work in the short term, or if you don't do a lot of honing. But when I started out, I spent enough money on sand paper to buy 2 DMTs before I finally cut my losses and bought the diamond plate.