"Stone lapping"

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buckman110

Joined
Aug 31, 2014
Messages
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How do u guys lap your stones? Or have u ever heard of lappung? Not many people have, its a process that has been lost over the years. When your stones become dished over many years, u can flatten them and bring back a flush surface with that new bite it used to have. I figured this was a much needed subject.

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Looks new don't it? Nope.... this stone belonged to my great grandpa. Though it has had many many knives sharpened on it, Its been brought back to its original glory. That's what lapping a stone does.
 
Lapping is actually pretty common knowledge to most anyone who uses whetstones, waterstones, or pretty much any stone other then ceramic and diamond stones. You can buy lapping plates from most any cutlery store or for the the norton india/crystalon type stones just lap them over an area of flat concrete. Another affordable but reliable option is to buy a ceramic or granite tile for a few bucks at your local hardware store and glue a piece of low grit silicon carbide sandpaper (the grey-black colored sheets). Now you have a flat even surface to true your stones on.
 
I figured that it was a subject not a lot of ppl know about. I've always used 3m sandpaper it works great. I done the stone pictured above yesterday.
 
Yes, I've lapped/leveled several of my stones over the years. I use a flat area of concrete and plenty of H2o. I don't take it any finer than this as glazing can and does occur. You can take this glazing off by careful grinding back on the concrete. Also, try to save some of the slurry you see left on the concrete, to later apply on a strop. This really helps clean up the edge. I did take my Spyderco ceramic stone finer, by using a fine diamond on it.
For the final leveling. I think I've needed to level my large Norton SiC stone about 3 times over the last 8 years (which is a water stone). But the India has different binders and it has only needed leveling once over the last 30+ years. DM
 
Leveling is not just OCD stuff. It really helps the stone and how it works. Don't allow your stone to become dished. Sharpen on the stone's ends, not just in the middle. Thus, preventing the need for leveling often.
As leveling does take away stone material, cutting it's life short. So, try in little ways to prevent dishing. DM
 
I acquired a carborundum stone today. Made by carborundum co. Niagra falls new York. Its a dual side and no. 106 I've read today that it could be a razor stone or barber stone. Don't use oil do use oil. Never heard of one till today. I've only used Arkansas stones aluminum oxide and diamond stones. It also referred to it as a sic stone. That's why I asked u.
 
Yes, a good stone. SiC= silicon carbide, the material. When sharpening on mine I always use mineral oil on the stone. As this floats the swarf away. It's an oil stone. The Norton India is a oil stone. Made to be used with oil. I've read folks use soapy water on them. If used dry or with merely water they load up quickly. Preventing good cutting of the steel. I think when using oil I obtain a finer edge. It's also easy to clean up afterward, just wipe the stone with a clean cloth. DM
 
Ah I see. Would u happen to know the grits? And I've always used oil. Never water or dry. I either use 3 and 1 or coon-p it was bad clogged when I got it today I scrubbed it with hot water and dawn. Cleaned up good. It started to bubble so I set outside to dry. Then use oil on it I guess.
 
Mineral oil is very economical and can be found in the pharmacy dept. of ___ mart as a laxative. I prefer the thinner grade.
The Norton fine SiC stone is rated at 220 grit. The early carborundum stone I have and posted pictures of in your sharpening topic is much finer. Something like 400 grit. Since, yours is made by the same company, I would think it is close. When I grind on it, the edge obtained is finer because of the grits tumbling affects. DM
 
I've always stuck with my 3, if it works I rarely change it. Very informative Mr. David. Thank u very much. I been reading lots of your posts, even some from a few years ago.
 
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