Thread: Spyderco Ultra Fine - Wet? Dry?

I just received my Spyderco Ultra Fine but it says nothing about lubrication. Are folks getting good results with water? oil? or plain dry?

For what it's worth: I use mine dry

That's the beauty with Spyderco hones, you can use them dry, honing anywhere without creating a mess.

I heard when i got mine that you get the best results when using it dry......
I have only used mine dry and indeed i have gotten great results.

I have got great results using the hone dry on both my knives and razors.

Dry here too.

I just got one too. I have used previous Spydercos dry.

I lapped one side... the one that appeared worst on straight edge testing. It has been smoothed right out and I think this has changed its grit properties.

I left the other side alone.

Spyderco rates the hone at 2000 US grit = 4000 - 5000 Japanese.

Now the smooth side is very very smooth. Probably up around what others who have lapped their UF stones rate this. Maybe 10 000 Japanese like people think.

I think lapping really changes the stone into something else entirely and question the wisdom of doing both sides as the ceramic is not a grit based abrasive.

Originally Posted by razorhead

I just got one too. I have used previous Spydercos dry.

I lapped one side... the one that appeared worst on straight edge testing. It has been smoothed right out and I think this has changed its grit properties.

I left the other side alone.

Spyderco rates the hone at 2000 US grit = 4000 - 5000 Japanese.

Now the smooth side is very very smooth. Probably up around what others who have lapped their UF stones rate this. Maybe 10 000 Japanese like people think.

I think lapping really changes the stone into something else entirely and question the wisdom of doing both sides as the ceramic is not a grit based abrasive.

I agree! The surface of the Spydercos F/UF may not show an equal metal residue from honing, indicating that it is not "perfectly" flat, but this does not mean they need to be lapped. They work that way, and they do a fantastic job. If it works, don't fix it!

I use all of the Spyderco hones dry, and I don't
lap them. I keep them clean with a scouring pad
and abrasive powder, as recommended by the
manufacturer.

YMMV!

- Scott

Originally Posted by CatMan

I agree! The surface of the Spydercos F/UF may not show an equal metal residue from honing, indicating that it is not "perfectly" flat, but this does not mean they need to be lapped. They work that way, and they do a fantastic job. If it works, don't fix it!

Hi Klaus,

Yes I have noticed the uneven residue and even though I have the 8 x 3 " model I still do diagonal passes to try and even out the blade contact on the unlapped side.

The lapped side is very very smooth and I could hone away many laps without destroying the edge so I really like it and will use it for touch ups every few days.

I think with only one side lapped you have the best of both worlds.