Thread: Lapping a lapping stone???

Do you need to lap a laping stone?
(If you need to flatten a honeing stone wouldnt you need to flatten a lapping stone?)

Usually the lapping stone is already perfectly flat. Thats why guys use lapping plates or glass plates or other items sold for that purpose. However if you use some homemade item you have to get it perfectly flat.

i do wonder though if after a while you would need to lap your lapping stone...do they wear down?

Norton says that heir stone has to be reflattened after extended use.

My attempt to check the diasharp after extended use was foiled.

In the old days before concrete sidewalks you needed a straight edge with the process of rubbing two out of flat stones together- but you also needed a straightedge to check your straightedge

I use a shapton flattening plate which is very hard steel. I don't think it will ever need flattening. You would probably have to in the honing business before you needed to re-flatten a plate or flattening hone. By that time I would probably just buy a new one rather than deal with the hassles of trying to get it perfectly straight.

Thanks for the input everybody

Im going to try to get a norten set and wondering if that needs to be lapped first. I guess not cause its made for lapping. But you would also asume that they make there hones flat to...?

+Buckler

Originally Posted by Buckler

Thanks for the input everybody

Im going to try to get a norten set and wondering if that needs to be lapped first. I guess not cause its made for lapping. But you would also asume that they make there hones flat to...?

+Buckler

For about $20 U.S. additional from what the Norton lapping plate costs, I would recommend you purchase a DMT D8C 325 grit diamond lapping plate. It will last for years our outlast you if you're just lapping a small number of stones and it doesn't need to be lapped (you couldn't if you tried). You can also use it to sharpen knives, chisels, etc.

Chris L

I am quite disappointed in the Norton Lapping stone. I lapped my Chi12K, and 2 Arkansas stones, and it is dished already. I'm buying a DMT.

And once you have the DMT, you can lap the Norton lapping stone; but then at that point, why would you bother?

I think the Norton lapping hone is only intended for Norton hones. Natural hones and barber hones are just too hard for the Norton lapping hone.