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Go to that hone lapping 101 I posted a link to earlier. Josh Earl demonstrates lapping using sandpaper on a flat surface. That works too.

Yes they do. It is not lapping the lapping plate. You cannot lap a diamond plate. It is rubbing it down with some tool steel to flatten any surface divots in the diamonds in the nickel plate strata.

This, by Josh Earl, used to be in there ..... dunno if it is still ?

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honing/16043-hone-lapping-101-a.html

What most of us use is the D8C which is a 3x8 like the nortons. Using a shorter plate might work but IMO you're better off with the 8" plate. Going above 325, to the 600, or whatever is not...