Thread: Why lapping film rules

OK, so why is lapping film any better than a hone?

Flexibility.

Here is the edge coming off of the 0.3um aluminum oxide film, laid flat on the precision granite plate:



Not bad (I did not spend a whole lot of time on that edge...)


But then I put the magic of lapping film to work---I put a single sheet of plain paper under the lapping film, which adds some cushion, and give it a few passes....


Much better!

I've played around with mulitiple sheets under there, which leads to a stronger convexing of the edge, but a single sheet on the finishing grit seems to give the best results.

Viva la Film!

WOW! How silky smooth is the shave off that blade?
Do you find the films to be more effective, or more accuratley, the difference between a hone and films greater, on differetn types of steels?

Is there someplace where you have outlined the whole system? Is there someplace the whole system is available to purchase? What is this "precision granite" you refer to?

Do you still use CrOx or other pastes after? Doesn't seem like you'd need to!

Wow. That's a lot of quesitons, but if I could get an endge like that....I sure want to try!

Originally Posted by smokelaw1

WOW! How silky smooth is the shave off that blade?
Do you find the films to be more effective, or more accuratley, the difference between a hone and films greater, on differetn types of steels?

Is there someplace where you have outlined the whole system? Is there someplace the whole system is available to purchase? What is this "precision granite" you refer to?

Do you still use CrOx or other pastes after? Doesn't seem like you'd need to!

Wow. That's a lot of quesitons, but if I could get an endge like that....I sure want to try!

Diamond lapping film is the most effective hone on the planet (OK, DMT diamond plates are probably just as effective, but not as velvety smooth feeling...). If anybody is crying about how stainless is too hard to hone, so-and-so's razors are so super-hard they are impossible to hone....etc. That is just because they are using ineffective hones! You can hone ceramic on diamond lapping film (ceramic mohs scale-9, diamond mohs scale-10, steel mohs scale ~7.5).

Precision granite plate is available from Woodcraft, or you can simply use a thick piece of glass.

Do a search for "lapping film" there are some good tutorials out there already.

I haven't tried diamond lapping film, but I tried the alminum oxide film (gift from one fine Seraphim). I found it great at sharpening a couple edges that I had trouble with on hone (a big wedge and a le grelot). I didn't find the edge as comfy as I do off my coticule or escher, but could get there with a TON of latigo stropping. But the films seem to combine the efficacy of a pasted strop but the mechanical soundness of honing edge first. Maybe diamond film would be silkier, but for me the film is a weapon to deployed when I'm struggling, but if I'm winning iwth a hone I like the fell off the coticule better.

Those results are truly amazing!

The striations in the second picture are remarkable smoother and finer.

I suppose comparing the first picture to the second would be similar to comparing a razor honing (on a stone) with more pressure vs. virtually no pressure. The paper as a cushion eleviated some of that pressure....truly amazing, since it's only a single piece of paper!! Just goes to show how sensitive the metal can be to the slightest changes.

Thanks for sharing!

Seraphim
i am talking about 1 st picture ,the reslut of blade comes out from which stone?what have you use for final edge?i think you don't have right final edge stone or you have not using your stones right way?Your edge shouldn't look like that after your last final edge stone.that picture looks like come out from 4k.
Now i don't have what type microscope you have. i have only 100x and talking about knowledge from 100x microscope level.
Do you have Escher, Nakayama ?etc
Sorry Belgian confuses me .

Originally Posted by Seraphim

OK, so why is lapping film any better than a hone?

Flexibility.

If this is what you see on your (second photo)
Sorry it is not better .You have not seen right polished razor edge.Sorry to say or you may seen just wanted show this as a experience?
both picture 's are worse then if you finish with Escher or Nakayama .if you use slurry.

It would be sweet if you told us about your complete hone progression!

it depends what conditoin is blade before i start to sharpen blade
my lowest grit is 1000
highest is
Escher has been for a long time but i know find out NAKAYAMA DOES same or better job
in the middle of it could be
used norton 4/8k i use alot because it is cheaper
and many more natural 4-7k stones
Belgians you named it
again middle depends on blade conditon ,material and etc
if you check that picture i think they even not come out 8k.
he uses some lapping paper which i am not familiar with but i know how edge look like after final finish with natural hones.
hope this helps.

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

it depends what conditoin is blade before i start to sharpen blade
my lowest grit is 1000
highest is
Escher has been for a long time but i know find out NAKAYAMA DOES same or better job
in the middle of it could be
used norton 4/8k i use alot because it is cheaper
and many more natural 4-7k stones
Belgians you named it
again middle depends on blade conditon ,material and etc
if you check that picture i think they even not come out 8k.
he uses some lapping paper which i am not familiar with but i know how edge look like after final finish with natural hones.
hope this helps.

Oops I am sorry, my question was addressed to Seraphim! But it is good to know yours, too.

I now use 800 grit -> white Arkansas from Col. Conk -> coticule w/ slurry -> bbw w/ slurry -> chinese 12k -> coticule w/ water and I am quite happy with the outcomes. I do not want to get into pastes but the diamond film sounds interesting.