Thread: New stones/ prep questions

Hello, I have stopped straight razor shaving for about 2 years now b/c I messed up my straight trying to sharpen it on an Arkansas surgical black... I got the norton 22/1k 4k/8k kit today from the best girfriend a guy could want. It came w/ the lapping stone. My question is should I round the side edges of the stones? I am afraid of my inexperience will damage my blade w/ the crisp edge on the stone? My idea is rounding the edges w/ my arkansas black and then lapping w/ the stone that came w/ the kit. Any suggestions? thanks. BTW I have never truly honed before...

I'd say it's optional but perhaps a good idea. Don't try to round them, you just want to take off the sharp edges.

Also, you'll want to lap those all flat before using them, including the lapping stone itself.

ok thanks. I could level the lapping stomne w/ sandpaper?

Wet/dry sandpaper on glass or granite (if you wet it, it will stick) is a popular method.