Quote Originally Posted by spavis View Post
hi im new to straight razor shaving and am just wondering about sharpening them. i bought a 8000 grit stone from my local woodcraft place and when i use it, it seems to leave bigger scratches in the blade than my 5 micron film i put on top of it. also the blade gets a more mirror like finish with the film. is the 5 micron film fine enough where i can strop it after and be done? or do i need something finer to use before i strop. thank you for the replies- Travis
Woodcraft... the film is good stuff. Note that they have 0.3 micron film as well.
5 micron (similar to a 5000 grit waterstone)
0.3 Micron Aluminum Oxide (similar to an 12000 grit waterstone)
The jump from 5 to 0.3 seems large but film is aggressive
and can bridge the gap just fine.

The film from woodcraft is the lowest cost entry to honing razors I know of.
Combine with a flat granite tile or two from the local tile shop
and also pick up a couple sheets of 15 micron (abut 1K) and you can
take a seriously dull eBay prize from dull to shave ready perhaps with
a kitchen grade bench hone for a very bad blade. I keep some
glass plates handy for Pinnacle Honing Film and because it presents
the razor with a flat as heck surface I have found that it works
well for some difficult str8 razors.

The final 0.3 micron edge is harsh but very sharp. Lather well and use
a light touch for a good shave. So do try the 0.3 micron. Use wet with
a little soapy water to keep the swarf from collecting.

Edit: the film is expensive long term. Keep an eye open
for a Norton 4k/8k at the same shop. But this film will
get ya going.