Thread: 5 micron film

Something that may explain the apparent coarseness is that those Chinese natural stones do not have an actual grit rating like synthetics & can vary quite a bit.

i just purchased the .3 micron film. when i just from 5 to .3 do i use the normal stroke, by only pushing the blade? thank you for all the replies by the way. the shave is getting better by the day!

Originally Posted by spavis

i just purchased the .3 micron film. when i just from 5 to .3 do i use the normal stroke, by only pushing the blade? thank you for all the replies by the way. the shave is getting better by the day!

Yes normal hone strokes.

Yes you can do circles and other strokes... But at 0.3 micron the edge must already be set so normal pushing hone strokes perhaps with a X or swoop will do.

ok because i was thinking that going from 5 to .3 would take forever. guess ill just have to try circles, then normal strokes and see what gives the better shave. i was also wondering, if im supposed to use the smooth side of my strop, why does it have the rougher leather side on it? its a hanging strop, that has 2 handles on it. one side is a tan, leather colored side, that has a rougher feel and look to it. the other side is black and a lot smoother. what is each side used for? thank you

Originally Posted by spavis

ok because i was thinking that going from 5 to .3 would take forever. guess ill just have to try circles, then normal strokes and see what gives the better shave. i was also wondering, if im supposed to use the smooth side of my strop, why does it have the rougher leather side on it? its a hanging strop, that has 2 handles on it. one side is a tan, leather colored side, that has a rougher feel and look to it. the other side is black and a lot smoother. what is each side used for? thank you

Not to worry, the 0.3 micron bits will do fine after the 5 micron grit. 10-20 normal
hone strokes will do the trick.

Tell me more about the strop.
In general you will be using the smooth side.
For some it is a preference. The split side
will strop just fine. Some folk apply an abrasive
strop paste to the split side. But with a 0.3 micron
finish from your film you will not need much if any.
0.5 or 0.25 micron diamond spray is common but not
necessary.

Use the split side as you would canvas. Ten to 20
laps on the split side then 25 - 50 on the smooth side.
This cleans the razor before it gets stropped.

GO SLOW on the strop.