Lapping a Swaty

[Sticky]

I just picked up a Swaty with some surface roughness and corner chips.

Anyone lap one of these, with what, and how long did it take? Comments and suggestions welcome.

Thanks in advance.

[mparker762]

wet/dry sandpaper, used wet. 300 grit, then 800 grit. Then lapped it against another barber hone until it was smooth as soap.

Took about 15 mins on the sandpaper, and another 15 mins on the other barber hone.

[BOGARTUS]

They lap quick and flat with a DMT coarse plate

[Sticky]

Update on my Swaty situation. Mission accomplished.

After about 7 minutes on the 3M 400 Wet or Dry, this Swaty's face was still only about "1/3rd" flat. I was trying to use only the weight of the hone against the paper. It looked very flat in the width direction but fairly concave over it's length. I suppose it would have put a second "micro" bevel on a razor's edge in original condition, assuming one honed a razor's edge in the normal lengthwise direction. Anywho, since the Swaty seemed to be putting up a valiant fight against the Wet or Dry, I trotted out the big gun (bought a D8C coarse 2 days ago).

The Swaty didn't stand a chance (I'm sure I saw that white flag of surrender!).

Ten to fifteen minutes later both sides were finished, using only the weight of the hone. That includes removing a small pit in the front face of approx. .003" depth, .015" diameter. The rear side was flatter from one corner to the opposite lengthwise corner.

I really like this DMT plate. Let's hope SWMBOAR (AR = almost reverently/religiously; around my house anyway) doesn't realize it works on the kitchen knives..

Final score DMT 2, Swaty 0.

Thanks to all for the advice. Appreciate it.

[gglockner]

Not sure why you are only using the weight of the hone. When I lap them I use lots of pressure to get the job done asap. I will back off on the higher grits trying to get a bit of mirror polish to the finer hones. I clean them off good and use an old beater razor to break it in a bit first.

Glen

[Sticky]

Not sure why you are only using the weight of the hone. When I lap them I use lots of pressure to get the job done asap.
...
Glen

I was a little nervous about breaking the diamonds out of the nickel plating with too much pressure. Wasn't sure if too much pressure would warp the hone either.

[kbuzbee]

I was a little nervous about breaking the diamonds out of the nickel plating with too much pressure.

+1 on that Steven! I think about the worst thing you can do to a DMT is apply too much pressure. Use them lightly and the diamonds will last you a long time.

I have to confess I used a bit too much lapping my Spyderco UF... Probably shortened the life of the DMT by quite a bit but it was an older style and I have a couple of the D8 series now so no worries:biggrin:

Cheers!

Ken