I am just trying to get a set of stones in shape so I can learn to hone with them. After going through nearly all of them I noticed light scratches in one, so I re-did the pencil grid and lapped on the GDLP again. Now what I have noticed is that once the stones dry I can see the lapping pattern in parts of the stone, as if there is something stuck on the GDLP or I am just seeing the lapping pattern... but only in spots. Its like there is a tiny grain on the DGLP causing the marks in spots.

I can only see these scratches after the stone is dry and held up to light at the right angle. They seem like they are larger than the grit should allow.

And I don't have anything to compare with, now. How can I tell if these swirls are OK, if the GDLP has some flaws in it? or something is stuck on it that does not seem to get removed when cleaned.
I can see scratch marks in the 1k,4k,16k and have not checked all other stones yet.

Could the GDLP be flawed? (I got it used) Or am I doing something wrong?

I am lapping with a good splash of water, figure 8 motion with light pressure and lapping until a pencil grid is removed, the first few stones seemed to all be high in the middle and it would take a while for the edges to hone flat. But now that they are dry I am seeing these scuff marks,, but not sure if its normal. As they can be very hard to see, light has to be just right.

Idea's?

- E