Thread: Why lapping film rules

I got the .1 in yesterday and had to give it a try.

My Case Temperite has always been a little harsh so I put the film, didn't expect it to be adhesive backed, on a granite tile and sprayed it with water. I had to add a little soap to make the water spread as I was warned.

20 laps and it seemed to do better on the HHT. This mornings shave was definitely better.

I'm sure it will take more experimenting to get the most out of it.

As far as paper goes, what kind of paper are we talking about for use under the 1 Micron paper. I mean are we talking about just regular notebook paper or something with a little more cushion to it.

I think Seraphim originally recommended standard copy or printer paper.
You might want to read this witty post over at B&B

Yesterday I finally took the time to do a "High Tech Hone" session

First many thanks the the two guys that sent me some 5-3-1 µm Lapping paper and the .1CBN spray to mess with

Method:

Base:
I went to the local Glass & Cabinet place up here, as they have been so generous with getting me Plexi sheets for my hones.. They supplied me with a piece of Polished Marble 4.75 x 9.75 x .75 inches... This made for a perfect base plate which I put some of the Silicone non-slip feet on..

Strop: I had read that if you are going to use the CBN on leather that Kangaroo was one of the best choices so having two Roo strops I sprayed one down and set it aside to dry

So now I am set...


The Razors


6/8 Wacker full hollow and an older Sheffield heavy grind, basically two polar opposites


Starting with both razors at a well set bevel off the 1k Chosera I went to the Wacker first and the polishing went fast, easy, and accurate.. The W&B was a different story it took more work to get the entire bevel even and polished...

On the 3µm the story was repeated as above


Moving to the 1µm I had cut a piece of Printer paper before hand and placed in on the Base then sprayed it down, the Lapping film went on with zero problems, and the Wacker took to it perfectly, the bevel and edge looked excellent under my 30x loupe..

Now the W&B that wasn't so perfect and I wasn't liking what I was seeing under the loupe, you have to understand I was being pretty conservative on laps and was watching the bevel develop as I went but this just wasn't working for this razor IMO

Anyway I continued through 10 laps on the CBN Roo strop and the 50/100 Linen & Leather


The test shave

The W&B first and with a short pass I pulled out, the edge was just not there...


The Wacker I shaved this morning with excellent results, just a beautiful shave...


I took the W&B back down to a Norton 4k the 8k and finished with my Coticule and the edge looks great and I expect a nice smooth shave from it...


Will do more testing later, the Wacker outcome was impressive

I find lapping film works best on high quality steel razors, cant speak for every razor but it works besk on my iwaski kamisori, a tamahagane kamisori and a heljestrand. We these razors i can maintain an edge almost indefinately using 1 and .3 mircon lapping, just a quick pass, strop and off you go again.

I am curious as to what brand of paper you as I have never seen.3 micron lapping film. More than likely it is right under my nose and I am just missing it. ThanK

Originally Posted by bluegrod

I am curious as to what brand of paper you as I have never seen.3 micron lapping film. More than likely it is right under my nose and I am just missing it. ThanK

I've got .3 3M Imperial Lapping Film... it feels like overhead film

3m has a lot of different film to use. They got down to .3 in diamond film, then .1 and .05 Aluminium Oxide (Check 3m 263x lapping film), .02 micron Silicon Dioxide film (863x) and even .01 micron if you believe some sources, but they keep the grade a Trade secret (865x).

.05 micron 3M Lapping Film 263X, 0.05 Micron Disc, 5 in x NH-Shop 3M
.02 micron 3M Lapping Film 863X, 0.02 Micron Disc, 5 in x NH-Shop 3M
.01 micron 3M Lapping Film 865X, Disc, 5 in x NH-Shop 3M

I might try to get the .02 to follow my .1 diamond and see if it makes any difference. If I buy it I'll try to give you and insight of my thoughts about it.

Laethageal

I just did some touch up with some al ox lapping film I got at best. It has the adhesive backing. I use the 8 k equivalent then the 14k then the .3 micron( don't know the grit equivalent). I have been using the .3 after
My 12k naniwa. It seems to me that you could definitely use it for new or well taken care of razors, but I don't think they would hold up on some eBay specials.(I could be wrong). I touched up 4 razors. It went well. I used a granite tile that I had cut to 3x6. No tearing of the paper. Its definitely cutting as you can see the slurry building up. I'm waiting for some diamond from lee valley. Give that a shot. I'm sure they will shave well as I am already using the .3 micron but I will see tomorrow. HHT same as before. In the long run I think this would be expensive. And there's nothing like a real hone. If you don't have any stones and only have a couple razors to take care of, I'm sure they will serve you well.

I didn't take the time to read the whole thread so I apologize if this has been answered already. How cost effective is this method of honing? How durable is the lapping film and is it really a noticeably better shave than the hones that are out there?