Editing Hone Lapping 101
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− | + | == Background == | |
− | + | Most hones don't come with a flat honing surface. Vintage hones are usually worn from use; new hones aren't flat because of the manufacturing process. Before you use any hone for the first time, it's a good idea to flatten it. This is called lapping the hone. | |
− | Most hones | ||
You can do this with minimal investment. I lapped my hones for a long time with just a piece of wet-dry sandpaper and a flat surface to stick it to. | You can do this with minimal investment. I lapped my hones for a long time with just a piece of wet-dry sandpaper and a flat surface to stick it to. | ||
− | For this tutorial, I | + | For this tutorial, I'll be lapping a Belgian yellow coticule. This is one of my main workhorse hones, and it hasn't been lapped in a while. I don't have a Norton 4K/8K combo hone, but the procedure is pretty similar with all hones. |
== Getting started == | == Getting started == | ||
− | To start out, I have collected a pencil, some 320-grit wet-dry sandpaper, a glass of water, and my hone. We're going to use a smooth | + | To start out, I have collected a pencil, some 320-grit wet-dry sandpaper, a glass of water, and my hone. We're going to use a smooth countertop as the lapping surface. |
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It's important to get good quality sandpaper. Norton and 3M are good brands. Cheap sandpaper could leave particles embedded in your hone. | It's important to get good quality sandpaper. Norton and 3M are good brands. Cheap sandpaper could leave particles embedded in your hone. | ||
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If you have a Norton hone or other waterstone that requires soaking, place it in a bucket of water for 15 minutes before you start lapping it. | If you have a Norton hone or other waterstone that requires soaking, place it in a bucket of water for 15 minutes before you start lapping it. | ||
== Preparing Your Surface == | == Preparing Your Surface == | ||
− | <gallery caption="" widths=" | + | <gallery caption="" widths="200px" heights="160px" perrow="3"> |
Image:Hone_lapping_101DSC_2451.jpg | My coticule doesn't require soaking, so we'll just get started. | Image:Hone_lapping_101DSC_2451.jpg | My coticule doesn't require soaking, so we'll just get started. | ||
Image:Hone_lapping_101DSC_2457.jpg | Pour some water onto the countertop, then place the sandpaper on top of the puddle. This will create a suction that'll hold the sandpaper in place while you work. The smoother the surface, the better. | Image:Hone_lapping_101DSC_2457.jpg | Pour some water onto the countertop, then place the sandpaper on top of the puddle. This will create a suction that'll hold the sandpaper in place while you work. The smoother the surface, the better. | ||
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</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
== Begin Flattening == | == Begin Flattening == | ||
− | <gallery caption="" widths=" | + | <gallery caption="" widths="200px" heights="160px" perrow="3"> |
Image:Hone_lapping_101DSC_2454.jpg | The next step helps you figure out when the hone is flat. Take the pencil and draw a grid on the surface of the hone. | Image:Hone_lapping_101DSC_2454.jpg | The next step helps you figure out when the hone is flat. Take the pencil and draw a grid on the surface of the hone. | ||
Image:Hone_lapping_101DSC_2456.jpg | This is an example of the grid pattern. | Image:Hone_lapping_101DSC_2456.jpg | This is an example of the grid pattern. | ||
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Image:Hone_lapping_101DSC_2473.jpg | Once the hone is flat, I use the sandpaper to round the corners of the hone until they feel smooth. Sharp corners on the hone can catch the edge of your razor and dull it. | Image:Hone_lapping_101DSC_2473.jpg | Once the hone is flat, I use the sandpaper to round the corners of the hone until they feel smooth. Sharp corners on the hone can catch the edge of your razor and dull it. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
− | == | + | == An Alternative to Sandpaper == |
− | + | <gallery caption="" widths="200px" heights="160px" perrow="3"> | |
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Image:Hone_lapping_101DSC_2478.jpg | A less messy alternative to sandpaper is using another stone to flatten your hone. I like the DMT line of diamond hones. The 325 grit does a great job of flattening softer hones like waterstones and coticules, and you can use it to hone knives and stuff around the house. | Image:Hone_lapping_101DSC_2478.jpg | A less messy alternative to sandpaper is using another stone to flatten your hone. I like the DMT line of diamond hones. The 325 grit does a great job of flattening softer hones like waterstones and coticules, and you can use it to hone knives and stuff around the house. | ||
− | Image:Hone_lapping_101DSC_2477.jpg | I also have a 120-grit monster that I use for barber hones. This one is pretty expensive, and it's not good for much else. < | + | Image:Hone_lapping_101DSC_2477.jpg | I also have a 120-grit monster that I use for barber hones. This one is pretty expensive, and it's not good for much else. <p> Norton makes a flattening stone that works well for softer hones. |
Image:Hone_lapping_101DSC_2479.jpg | To use my DMT hones for flattening, I usually hold the DMT in my left hand and the hone in my right. I make circles with the hones under a stream of running water in the sink. | Image:Hone_lapping_101DSC_2479.jpg | To use my DMT hones for flattening, I usually hold the DMT in my left hand and the hone in my right. I make circles with the hones under a stream of running water in the sink. | ||
Image:Hone_lapping_101DSC_2482.jpg | If I have a lot of lapping to do, I might set the DMT down in the bottom of the sink. <p> You don't need a lot of pressure for this. Just keep the hones making good contact and let the lapping stone do its thing. | Image:Hone_lapping_101DSC_2482.jpg | If I have a lot of lapping to do, I might set the DMT down in the bottom of the sink. <p> You don't need a lot of pressure for this. Just keep the hones making good contact and let the lapping stone do its thing. | ||
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− | < | + | </gallery> |
− | + | [[Category:Tutorials]] | |
− | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Honing]] |