Thread: how frequently do you lap?

wondering just how frequently you lap your synthetic stones? after every single razor? after a half dozen or so? do you lap the lower grits more frequently than your higher? i know that the ease - or difficulty - in each specific razor will make a difference but was just wondering in general. i have a set of 1-3-5-8-12 naniwa specialty stones and was just wondering how often others lap theirs.

similar question for naturals like coticules, jnats, zulu grey etc. since these are 'harder' stones do they need to be lapped as frequently? or only periodically once initially lapped flat?

thanks.
-s.

for me, it's not a matter of lower grits or higher grits. it's a matter of softer stone or harder stone, it's grit-agnostic for me

It depends on the stone (this is the same thing for synthetics as it is naturals). If you get a stone that glazes over, then you have to lap it to keep it going, and it's a better idea to do that than it is to involve foreign naguras.

If you have a really hard synthetic and a pet nagura, then you really rarely need to lap. Same as a hard jnat that is a nagura plate (i.e., the base stone is just something for the nagura to work on and is otherwise never involved in the cutting). Lapping is seldom necessary.

I found myself lapping shapton pro high grit stones fairly often, and with tool work, same with the 1000. Same with the king and imanishi stones, the chosera (which must be soaked, despite the fact that it will surface check after a while) 10k and the SS 12k.

I have Super Stones and follow Glen's advice to lap them briefly before each razor. 4-6 figure eights producing slurry which I also use. This way I never worry about them not being flat.

I clean my stone under running water using a small slurry stone. When the stone does not remove all dirt and residue I lap. Usually about every 2 to 4 hones depending on how much work goes into getting a good edge.

I lap after every session , apart from Jnats. I'm a bit of a perfectionist so I cant help myself. (in my defence)

I have never lapped my Arkansas stones and probably will never have to. This includes my Washita stones. I have a Norton oil stone (course/fine) for large chips, knives, ect. And have never lapped that either and it shows no sign of dishing. Admittedly, I don't seem to use this stone much and is the only synthetic that I kept.

I rarely lap my Naniwa Super Stones after the initial one. Yea, I know it is contrary to everything but there it is.

Bob

I only use naturals (Thüringer stones and coticules) and after the initial lapping I would only lap if I'd notice unevenness while honing or by eye.

I say 'would' because in over five years, I think I have lapped my main coticule maybe once, and it probably wasn't even necessary.

I have lapped an unevenly wearing Cretan (bevel work) a few times, when it was visually out of flat. And even before that, it still worked fine. Better after lapping, but not all that much.

Originally Posted by JOB15

I lap after every session , apart from Jnats. I'm a bit of a perfectionist so I cant help myself. (in my defence)

is a 'session' equal to just one razor? of do you do two or three razors and then lap once all are done?