Thread: Why lapping film rules

I have been using lapping films from the start. I have found them to very effective and quite easy to use.

Now after a year or so of doing my own honing and having honed about 50 razors this last year, I have two different honing progressions. One involves films and one does not.

BUT if I am setting a bevel I like the bevel off of 30 micron film better than a stone hone. It is so clean and for me it always does the trick.

Progression #1:
a) 30 micron lapping film (not diamond) until the bevel is clean and even and nicely passes the TNT.
b) #3000 Chosera (Naniwa) usually 30~50 there and back strokes.
c) #5000 Chosera (naniwa) ussally 30~50 there and back strokes.
d) 1 micron lapping film (not diamond) 30~50 there and back strokes.
e) 0.5 micron lapping film (not diamond) 30~50 there and back strokes.
f) 0.3 micron lapping film (not diamond) 30~50 there and back strokes.
g) 100 on latigo
h) 100 on horsehide

Note I don't always include step 'd'. If I am out of 1 micron film I can usually do a few very light strokes on the #5000 and get the same finish on the edge.

Progression 2:
a) 30 micron lapping film (not diamond) until the bevel is clean and even and nicely passes the TNT.
b) #3000 Chosera (Naniwa) usually 30~50 there and back strokes.
c) #5000 Chosera (naniwa) ussally 30~50 there and back strokes.
d) Coticule #1 (La Petite Blanche fast cutting) 30~50 there and back strokes.
e) Coticule #2 (La Petite Blanche Vintage, finer than the previous coticule) 30~50 there and back strokes.
f) Cromium Oxide balsa bench hone 30~50 there and back strokes.
g) 100 on latigo
h) 100 on horsehide

To be honest I like both but prefer the coticule method. But if I am going to sell a razor I use progression #1. The edge is extrememly keen and super smooth. Almost too sharp. But I like to keep my reputation consistent when selling a shave ready razor.

I have done a complete lapping film progression in the past and liked it but since I got the Chosera #3000 and #5000 my edges are still great and eliminate #15 micron, 5 micron and sometimes the 1 micron as well.

I keep my Chosera hones lapped so I can use them as a base for my lapping films. I cut them the same size as the chosera and use clean water to stick the film to the hone top (note the film I use is not the adhesive type). The only time I find that the film moves around a bit is the final two 0.5 and 0.3 micron film. The razor suction on these two is quite strong. In this case a firm finger on a corner of the film prevents any drastic movement of the film.

On another note I have seen mentioned that Bill Ellis also incorporates lapping film into his honing progression (FYI only).