Thread: Lapping a surgical black Arkansas

Very true if you embed grit in a black Arkie you have really accomplished something.

I was more thinking of other hones when I made that comment. cause we all know there is always one more hone to get.

I lapped a translucent Arkie with sandpaper and a DMT 325 and it took forever; luckily it wasn't too far out to begin with. If I had it all to do over again, I'd use a belt sander.

Depends on how much lapping your going to do beyond that stone. I bought a DMT XX 120, it'll do the job, but how often are you going to use it. DMT also just came out with a plate strictly for lapping...

The Surg.Blacks are hard. Personally, I don't like them for straights, I have two I use for knives. I'm not sure where you are, but there might be someone nearby, another member perhaps that can help you out...?

Has anyone ever tried using a "barber hone" to lap their stones? I ask as sadly, my little stone (pictured) made short work of my Naniwa lapping stone in no time at all when I tried to round the edges... sigh.

Hence, I used it to start the lapping process on my C12K and it worked wonders (finished it with a DMT). Haven't tryed it on a Ark - might work though?

What's the process for lapping one with a belt sander? I just found out that I may have access to one, but I've never used a belt sander before...

Originally Posted by apvonkanel

Okay, any suggestions that don't require me to purchase pricey equipment?

I assume you don't have a dmt 8c. It takes a while but it will get you there. I finished it with a shapton glass lapping plate.

Originally Posted by apvonkanel

Will the DMT work substantially faster than 220 sandpaper?

Honestly I only use sandpaper if the stone is way off being flap. I have never attained a flat serface using sandpaper,
even on a granet serface.
stingray

Originally Posted by earcutter

Has anyone ever tried using a "barber hone" to lap their stones? I ask as sadly, my little stone (pictured) made short work of my Naniwa lapping stone in no time at all when I tried to round the edges... sigh.

Hence, I used it to start the lapping process on my C12K and it worked wonders (finished it with a DMT). Haven't tryed it on a Ark - might work though?

A barber hone alone is too small to give a flat surface. The DMT was crucial.

Surg Black Arks can eat a DMT for breakfast, and then chow down 3M 200 by the boxful.
Try less expensive sandpaper in the 300x range. I don't know why, but sometimes a cheaper paper rated with a higher grit will cut faster.
I made good headway with some no-name 320-380x paper I got on Ebay.

You may not have to buy a sander. Your local hardware store my rent them by the hour or a equipment rental place would be my second choice. But you not only not have to buy but they'll give you instructions on how to use it on the stone too.