Thread: Why lapping film rules

Originally Posted by BenjamanBarker

i have read a bunch about lapping film but where can i get it?? and are there some grits you just shouldn't use?

Here in Canada I've purchased some at Lee Valley Tools.

Try r.s. hughes
286x=.3 micron, 265x= 1 micron, 266x=3 micron

they have lots of cosrser stuff too.

McMaster-Carr carries the film.

I would only add that one needs to go 0.1micron film. I found that 1.0 left a very "toothy" edge that would cause some nasty slices and was very unforgiving . If you are going to stick with films try 0.1 CBN for a final polishing. You might then not need the 0.1 film...just a thought.

Take care,
R

Originally Posted by BenjamanBarker

i have read a bunch about lapping film but where can i get it?? and are there some grits you just shouldn't use?

Amazon.com has it.

I would only add that one needs to go 0.1micron film. I found that 1.0 left a very "toothy" edge that would cause some nasty slices and was very unforgiving .

In this case you must have done something wrong.
Here is an example of a magnified edge finished on 1µm (diamond) lapping film. I compared the diamond lapping film to the AluOx and there is only a slight advantage to the diamond.

Btw. Lynn stated the lapping film can be cut into easily. That is something that never happened to me but something to beware of.
Especially when honing free hand like with kitchen knives and stuff

I understand what you are showing and telling me but I still stand by my original perception. Want to push the envelope? Then try some scything. The 1.0 micron diamond edges shred and sliced my skin. I am not going by what it looks like because, like always, it is the shave that determines the edge. I have found that 0.1 just gives an edge that is much more forgiving. I have also found 0.1 CBN on felt even more forgiving and has been my edge of choice for well over a year now.

I come from and physics and chemical engineering background. When I first starting honing and tried contemporary ways of honing I attacked it from the standpoint that the finer the grit the keener and smoother the edge. Diamond edges were good but one day I bought a J-Nat and those stones will rock your perception of keenness and smoothness. I was thinking that it simply did not make sense. How could smoothness come from such stones? One of the secrets of the J-Nats is that their cutting particles were irregular and did not have the jagged cutting properties that diamonds have. The also break down as you hone, diamonds do not, they retain the same shape and size.

There are many different points of view on how a razor should shave and your needs and desires may be different but if you have never tried a natural edge you are in for a treat.


Take Care,
Richard

Hi Richard,

I am, too, coming from a physics and chemical engenieering background. I work at the R&D department of a German company for surface technologies, what a coincidence.

You are absolutely correct, and I do not want to argue your perceptions. My post was merely a response on the word "toothy" that I misread for meaning "jagged".
I now understand you mean aggressive, something that can not be argued.

I also see your point with japanese naturals, you may not know but if there is a stone on earth able to cut steel be sure I tried it.
I had all synthetic setups known to mankind (and stuck by the Shapton GS 1k to 30k) and had stones from 3 of the 5 legendary mines in japan,
Nakayama, Shoubudani, Ohzuku.

I recently added the 0.5µm diamond and 0.1µm diamond to my lapping film regiment.
Like I said I had been getting very good shaves from the 1µm (disclaimer: I do not mind agressiveness and feather like edges)
but the 0.5µm and 0.1µm did give me awesome edges, too. I was worried the 0.1µm would make the edge fragile and frayed

Between to scientists: The dogma of J-Nat particles break-down being the reason for their high quality is misleading and so far unproven.
An edge finished on a nice 10k edge sharpened on a J-Nat with water only will give extremely satisfactory edges as well

Originally Posted by Sonofabarber

McMaster-Carr carries the film.

McMaster $35 / sheet? Is this correct or are there several sheets in a package? Amazon has 6 sheets for $8, but the darn page doesn't list the grits.

It looks like you have to buy a whole case at rs Hughes

I have certainly enjoyed your photos. I ask if you have determined the fineness of jnat finishing stones? Max and minimum I guess. How do the best compare to lapping film?Thank you for being so inquisitive.