Lapping stones

[Aldebaran]

Introduction
Let's go step by step, stone water, especially Japanese, consist of an agglomeration of abrasive particles that have a weak link between them, this is something really useful, because it allows you to consume when using the superficial layer of stone, accessing abrasive particles always fresh and useful purpose.
The downside however is that these stones often wear unevenly, creating a generally concave in the middle of the stone.
Know that the stone for good work must be perfectly flat.
The operation must be done to return the stone to the original state of flatness is called grinding or lapping.
Sometimes we realize that the stone is exposed unevenly worn, but a way to make an empirical analysis is to place the stone (the side which we analyzed) on a perfectly flat surface, like a marble or a crystal plate.
After laying the stone you will notice that the surface of the stone does not fully support the plan, this is the unmistakable sign that we must rectify the stone.

Simple but effective way to perform the lapping

Need a sheet of sandpaper large enough, personally I find enough of a grain 240 if the stone is not too shabby (but you can use cards with more grit up, starting with a coarse also coming to 1000, but some there's even higher) and a perfectly straight as the one used to check if the stone surface was smooth.
One could proceed to paste the paper to glass top, but personally 'I think it is better to do so':
immerse the leaves in water bath and the glass top for good at this point support the sheet with the abrasive side to the other plane, and a kind of suction effect will remain stationary during the adjustment.

Stone after soaking in water for about fifteen minutes we proceed with the most important part.
Then begins to move the stone surface on sandpaper wet well and soon begin to notice that the card works because it creates the typical "mud" formed by the stones and water.
You can frequently check the stone, rinsing, and you will notice that slowly, usually starting from the ends, one begins to consume.
When the stone is completely flat you will find that tends to remain attached to the card when trying to lift.
Now we proceed again by supporting the stone floor of glass (of course without the paper) and we note that for all his support superficie.La stone is now perfectly straight and therefore suitable for sharpening.