Naniwa coating

[MWS]

Hi Folks,

Just got in my new Naniwa hones 5000/8000/12000...exciting stuff! One thing I was hoping for more information on were the following comments:

gssixgun

Yes they need to be lapped, doesn't matter if they are flat (they won't be) there seems to be almost a coating on the Naniwas that needs to be lapped off there

Maq

1. Lapp Naniwa Stones before first use.. they aren't flat enough and are almost covered with a film that needs to be removed.

...when I took them out of the box I rubbed them with my finger - and noticed the grit seemed pretty much the same on all of them...paper smooth

Should the initial lap be a little more aggressive, or normal - they're my first stones, so I'm not sure what I should be going for...

Thanks,

Mike

[mainaman]

flat means the stone must be one continuous plane not high and low points.
Lap with 320 wet/dry sand paper on flat surface such as granite tile, glass tapble top, granite counter top etc.
325 DMT is another option, it is also cheaper in the long run.

[sebell]

I'd basically follow the wiki: Hone Lapping 101

On the Naniwas, when you start lapping off the `coating', you'll
be able to clearly see when it's completely removed.



- Scott

[JimmyHAD]

Drawing a pencil grid and lapping under lightly running water works real well for me. I use the DMT D8C 325 and it works great. When the grid is gone the stone is about as flat as it's going to get.

[zib]

The DMT D8C works well on the Nani's, As Jimmy stated try to lapp them under running water, this will help with swarf build up. They do get "Swarfy". It's difficult to bevel the edges due to the base, Some wet sandpaper works well on that. Your 5, 8 and 12 are relatively close to the touch, but they are different...

[Maq]

Hi Mike,

See you got some Naniwa Hones!! I really like mine and they are working fine now.. I followed the lappig instructions in the WIKI and the instructions I got from everyone here on the forum.. I used a pencil grid like Jimmy said... you can see the picks of it on the instruction on the WIKI.. you'll be surprised to recognize that the hones aren't as flat as you think when you start lapping... they are flat allright but not perfectly so...

My hones IE my 1000 and 5000 seem to need lapping before each session of honing... I think most people do this before and after a session... some just after to clean the residue from the razor or razors off the hones... My hones edges rise a little when they dry (by morning).. not much.... and a little lapping before I get started (no pencil grid necessary, just 20 or 30 passes varying direction lengthwise and accross ) under the sink does the trick...

I have now honed 4 razors to shave ready using lynn's advice 1000, 5000, 8000, 12,000, balsa strop with CRox , and 30 passes on leather strop... I'm very pleased with the results and I'm sure you will be too.. these hones are great and you will be pleased..

Congratulations Mike,

Let us know what you think of your hones!

Maq