Looking to start honing...

[BlakeW5]

Well, I'll probably pick up a red-bone handled dovo (any opinion on the razor is welcome)for my b-day so I'm looking in to learning how to hone (probably on some gold-dollars and my ERN).

Naturally I think I'm going to pick up the combo Norton, so I'm going to need a lapping stone. I'm looking in to getting the DMT but have a question about the grit. Exactly what grits can I use to lap my stone? I've considered the 325, 600, and 1200. I don't like the 325 as I really don't have a use for it besides lapping the norton. As for the 600, I already have a similar stone that I use for my knives, so basically the 600 would be just as useful as the 325. Could the 1200 be used to lap the norton? I know it would take much longer than the others, but would it work? Opinions on the 600 are welcome too.

I think I've got a reasonable package picked out. Naturally I'd like a few more pieces but I've got to think about money. Would this be a suitable set-up?

 

[Walker]

You don't "need" a lapping stone. You can use sandpaper and a level surface such as a glass or ceramic surface

 

[Seraphim]

You could simply get the DMT1200 and use it directly gor setting bevels, etc. Follow it up with the DMT EE(8000), and some chromox on a strop and you'll never have to lap anything.

 

[SliceOfLife]

I'd get a DMT EE and skip the lapping stone.

 

[Legion]

I just lap mine on sandpaper and glass. Seems to work fine.

 

[LarryAndro]

The DMT 325 works fine for lapping hones. If I was going to get just one DMT, it would without question be the DMT 325. Getting the DMT 600 or above doesn't give you a better lapping grit in my opinion. And, it is too close to the 1K hone that I am sure you have.

If you get the DMT 600, when working on razors that are pretty dull to start with, you will spend more time than you need to in establishing the bevel shape. Get the DMT 325 for these dull razors, and you will have a good lapping hone to boot.

 

[BlakeW5]

Sounds good. Guess I'll just take the cheap route and buy some sandpaper and glass and go for the norton.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[SliceOfLife]

Norton's are the cheap route now? I would have thought Taidea 5k ($20) +king 4k (8k norton grit, $25) was the cheap route.

 

[Proinsias]

Norton's are the cheap route now? I would have thought Taidea 5k ($20) +king 4k (8k norton grit, $25) was the cheap route.

I've got a king 1k/6k combo. Is the grit for this also on a different scale to the norton? This is the only bevel setter/polisher stone I have, the others are finishers, so I don't have much to compare it with.