Lapping film, try it.

[ladykate]

The beauty of lapping film is that it doesn't require much to get it to work. Keep the razor flat. There... end of checklist. (OK... need a flat base, need to know which edge is the sharp one, etc).

I had a handful of razors to hone this weekend and, at first glance, they looked fairly clean but they were quite dull. However, upon setting the bevels (5 needed to be set with the DMT), one was warped, two had frowns, and three had stabilizers that were in the way or extending past the shaving edge (from improper honing at some time).

The setup work took most of the time - getting out the frowns, taking down the stabilizers so they weren't in the way, honing out the slight warp, setting the initial bevel, etc.

Four of them were strop ready after one pass of 60 laps on 12, 9, 5, 3, 1 and .3. I know some don't like .3 but I do so everyone who shaves with my razors gets it. ;-} The fifth one (the warped one) required quite a bit of work and I ended up taking it through the progression twice with some time spent on 12 to get even wear marks on the spine. Another one took rehoning three times to get the bevel the way it should be (it had a wave in it). That one ended up being noticeably narrower after it was cleaned up.

So... if your razor is twitchy to start with, you will still have to work at it. If it is close to ready then a normal progression through the sheets will bring it to life. Treat the film with gentleness - no need to press hard but insure the blade is flat (same way with stones). Typically, I run the blade across the film with one finger lightly pressing on the center of the spine.

[redbreast]

Awesome answers as always. Love it.
Since I didn't do my homework thoroughly I realized I missed the 1 micron film so now I have sent rickboone an pm. Well anyway, I have a large piece of glass, a shelf to be precise. Seems to flat. So all down to 3 m all went on fine. At least I think so. The razor is a big smile cw dahlgren. A beauty to be precise. So now I just have to wait until I get some more film.

[PapaFish]

In the meantime, try shaving off the 3 micron, you could be surprised with a nice shave :).

[Slash McCoy]

In the meantime, try shaving off the 3 micron, you could be surprised with a nice shave :).

Yeah. It should shave. Remember this grade is about equivelant to an 8k Norton and plenty of shavers have shaved off an 8k Norton. At one time this was considered the standard for a shaving edge. And actually I think it is a pretty good idea. If you get a reasonably useful edge from the 3u film, you know you are going to get a great edge from the 1u. The 1u can't do its job if the earlier stages didn't do theirs. Waiting for the 1u film to arrive is an opportunity to dial in technique.

[Seraphim]

In the meantime, try shaving off the 3 micron, you could be surprised with a nice shave :).

Put two pieces of wetted paper under the 3um and you'll be stylin'!

[Slash McCoy]

Would glass be the ideal surface for using as a base? Better than scrap granite or marble counter top?

Also, what woul be ideal dimensions for the base?

I am going to order the 9x13 sheets from ThorLabs, so I would assume cutting them into three 3" strips s the way to go. So maybe a 5x15 piece of glass?

I found a website that will make a custom 5x15 and 1/2" thick tempered piece of glass for like $37 shipped. Thinking that would be perfect

That will work fine. But maybe go a little smaller on the glass. 4" wide is plenty. 13-1/2" long is plenty. You can also glue the glass to a wood base if you like.

[Slash McCoy]

Slash---might it be possible for you to video yourself setting a bevel with this? Also, setting it all up, etc.?

Does anyone have any extra sheets, like 1 or 2 of each, they'd sell me? 12, 5, 3, 1?

I want to do a video one of these days. I need to rig a stand or holder for my iphone, or get someone to be my cameraperson. It is definitely a project in the Queue. Unless someone beats me to it and does a better job than I would do.

Weren't you recently selling lapping film kits?

I might put some kits together after I come back from my next job.

[redbreast]

So last night I tried the whole progress. 12, 9, 3, and 1 um. But the thing is I'm not noticing any real improvement in sharpnes after 9 um. And of course I couldn't bare to try again so I shaved with it. And now I won't be shaving for some time since my face HURTS.
I guess it's just about the skills and that I seem to miss them, but is there an right and a wrong way to start over? Shall I return to 9, 3 or 1?

[zirrow]

Do you have a loupe or microscope? You need to make sure you get a good, even bevel before going to the higher grits. Once the bevel is set, you're basically just polishing out the coarser scratches. You can check this at each stage with some kind of magnifying instrument.

[ladykate]

So last night I tried the whole progress. 12, 9, 3, and 1 um. But the thing is I'm not noticing any real improvement in sharpnes after 9 um. And of course I couldn't bare to try again so I shaved with it. And now I won't be shaving for some time since my face HURTS.
I guess it's just about the skills and that I seem to miss them, but is there an right and a wrong way to start over? Shall I return to 9, 3 or 1?

Like Zirrow said, after you get the bevel set, you are just polishing and if you went through a progression with the current bevel and it didn't work, I would suspect your bevel isn't set properly. Go for butcher knife sharp with your first bevel - you should be able to shave some arm air with it. THEN go through the progression.

Also, don't hesitate to start over at the top if you think you are close. You won't be tearing that much metal off and it is likely that, if you think you are close, there are areas on the blade that need more attention than others. Level it out by starting at the top - until you get a real feel for how it is working. Then start at the top. ;-}

[redbreast]

So I'll go back to the top. And also I might just wait with the smiling razor I'm doing and learning to do it proper on a more straight one. Unfortunately I don't have any kind of microscopic aid so I may be just adding that to the list.
I was shaving armhair since 12um but after 9 it just wasn't improved. Maybe 40 or so laps is not just enough?

[redbreast]

And btw, should I tape it?

[zirrow]

And btw, should I tape it?

Slash may come to your house and break your kneecaps if you do (seriously though, there is very, very rarely a need to tape)

as for a microscopic aid, I picked up one of these for $3. Probably not the best thing in the world, but for the price, I don't think it can be beat.


ETA: Check here for more information about taping

[hudik]

Slash may come to your house and break your kneecaps if you do (seriously though, there is very, very rarely a need to tape)

as for a microscopic aid, I picked up one of these for $3. Probably not the best thing in the world, but for the price, I don't think it can be beat.

Also available with free shipment to Sweden @ http://dx.com/p/30x21mm-jewelers-lou...er-8186?item=1

[Jayk]

I picked up some lapping film a little while ago but just need to find a surface to use. I am (slowly) looking for a razor to hone, is there any grind I should avoid for a first time hone? Would a wedge be alright or would I be better to stick to a hallow grind of some sort? thanks

[TnutsShave]

So I'll go back to the top. And also I might just wait with the smiling razor I'm doing and learning to do it proper on a more straight one. Unfortunately I don't have any kind of microscopic aid so I may be just adding that to the list.
I was shaving armhair since 12um but after 9 it just wasn't improved. Maybe 40 or so laps is not just enough?

I think counting the laps can be misleading. You literally should be able to "feel" the changes as you continue through the strokes. You will certainly be able to feel spots on the blade that are not polished in the same manner as others. Not to buck the advice of any other's on the board, but you've got to get your own technique down...bottom line. The number of laps needed has a significant number of variables at work: lapping plate size, pressure, steel type, gravitational conditions, altitude, solar activity, etc, etc, etc. Just keep at it. You'll get there.

[TnutsShave]

Oh, and get the microscope for SURE! It's an invaluable tool, in my opinion.

[Seraphim]

Lapping film is the eighth wonder of the world.

[Gissy]

I can't wait to try it out. I have ordered a non-honed sight unseen razor from Whippeddog to learn on. It was just 10$!

[zirrow]

Also available with free shipment to Sweden @ http://dx.com/p/30x21mm-jewelers-lou...er-8186?item=1

That'll teach me to pay more attention to a member's location. Sorry about that, redbreast.