New Lapping Plate Uses 

Hi Jack, Waterstones traditionally hollow or concave with sharpening use due to a chisel and plane blades being narrow in comparison with the width of the stone. Sharpening is often concentrated on the centre of stone, a figure of 8 technique can help slow the process of hollowing. It is difficult to avoid hollows in a stone when sharpening hence we need to flatten a stone continually to keep the edges of our blades straight when sharpening. Our Lapping Plate is CNC ground flat on both sides. Flattening a sharpening stone will not jeopardise the lapping plate flatness because the plate is much harder than the abrading stone which breaks down (to reveal more grit) as it is designed to do. This breaking down process ends up with the stone becoming flat. And, a stone is not that much smaller than the Lapping Plate so even coverage whilst flattening your stone is easy to achieve. Henry Eckert Hand Tools

​@@henryeckerthandtools Howdy, Thanks for the reply. I have been using a granite plate with sandpaper to remove the hollows left in my waterstones so using something that doesn't waste so much sandpaper would be a great change. I suppose my concern is that if the waterstone is able to grind away hardened A2 steel (or indeed PM10V) and be left with a hollow, what is to stop it from transferring that hollow shape onto the lapping plate (which is softer, mild steel)? Forgive my ignorance on this! I hope my question makes sense. Maybe I'm just overthinking it.

@@jackdillon7064 It is not the body of the stone but the grit that removes tool steel. In the process the stone is designed to break down, dissolve, to reveal fresh grit. Hence the stone hollows in the process in the area you are working the blade. The stone is essentially quite soft, the high area of the stone breaks down to mirror the flatness of the lapping plate. When you lap the stone the flatness achieved allows you to 'pick up' the heavy lapping plate by just holding the stone due to the suction the flatness causes. Looking closely on our videos you will see the waterstone clinging to the plate, making it harder to move as it becomes flat. All our tools are guaranteed. If find you have a problem with our plate we will refund, regrind or replace, whatever suits you. Henry Eckert Hand Tools

@Henry Eckert Hand Tools alright, you've convinced me. I've just put an order through. Let me know when I can come pick it up and I'll be right over.