Thread: Lithide Hone

Originally Posted by idaho mike

Ok. I just check mine and I'm seeing them too. I did a quick scrub with a scotch brite and they didn't come out. I've only lapped using the black wet dry sandpaper, so I doubt it is something I've introduced while lapping.

I've no clue if this is a defect or by design as I've only the one hone and have only seen pictures of lithide. That said, it doesn't seem to make a difference in how well the hone works that I've noticed. All the same, I'm curious now.

I just got 2 Lithide hones from Tilly, 1 was the larger/normal size hone the other one was the little one that comes in the red box with the concave indention in it.

I used the smaller lithide to lap the larger lithide..I also noticed the gold specs in the larger hone but not in the smaller hone, it must be something that is present within the material of the larger hone. I was able to lap the larger hone very smooth and flat, but will have to double check it.

So, I don't think it's anything thats been introduced to the hone, the specs on mine only seem visible when the hone is wet....

Dang it, but lapping the lithide on the Norton does work. I had lapped my lithide forever on 1200-grit sandpaper, and the surface still felt like a piece of sidewalk. I couldn't bring myself to drag a freshly honed razor over that rasp-like surface...

I lapped it for a few moments tonight on my Norton 4000 and it's now really smooth. (I tried the 8K side, too, but it seemed to make things a bit worse for some reason.) It's not glossy like it was when I first got it, but I think I'd be willing to use it now.

Thanks for the tip!

Josh

P.S. If you're really picky, be advised that doing this will turn your Norton black with lithide residue. It mostly comes off with a little scrubbing, but the pores still have some traces in them. My Norton was due for a good lapping, anyway...

Oh, yeah, mine also has gold flecks. I think they're normal.

Josh

I don't know if it worth your time to try the 2500 grit sandpaper. I already did and there was not much difference between the 1000 grit sandpaper. I am going to try your suggestion withe Norton 4k/8k. That may be the secret.

So hell, I guess I'll use it.
Oh wait, I have been!

still nice to know they are almost all like that

I too bought the Lithide from Tilly and have the same problems as the rest of you, it doesn't seem very smooth after lapping like the instructions said with 1200 grit wet sandpaper. I bought the lithide in hopes of keeping my Lynn honed razor keen so I could save up for a Norton later. So I was wondering do those of you that said you just lapped it with the sand paper actually use the it to touch up a razor and if it still does a good job even though it doesn't feel real smooth? I haven't needed to use it yet but I will soon...and I hope I can. Thanks,

Michael.

I was not satisfied at all with the honing surface after just the 1200 grit sandpaper. I remember thinking at the time that I might have ruined the Lithide somehow through contaimination from the initial lapping process on the sandpaper before I even got the chance to use it. I know believe that the gold colored inclusions are a normal occurrance in the Lithide and appear after a good lapping. Unfortunately you need to lap at a higher grit than the 1200 grit sandpaper that is currently being suggested. Even after I lapped on the Norton 4/8 I still don't think the surface of my Lithide was as good as when I first got it but at least I had achieved a honing surface that my razors and I could deal with. I would not hone a razor on a lithide that was lapped on just the 1200 grit sandpaper. In my opinion the surface is to coarse but this is just my opinion.

So after the Norton 8k side can you use the Lithide as a touch up hone to keen it up, or is it not smooth enough for that?

Theoretically yeah. I'm still trying to get my lithide to do that.

I feel the Lithide is suitable for use after lapping it with the Norton 4/8. I've already used mine to Keen 2 razors and the lithide has performed as advertised. I keep it by the sink along with a paddle strop treated with chromium oxide. I'm not sure of the grit of the lithide but there is improvement off the Norton 8k with it. You only need between 6-10 strokes with it.