Thread: Alternatives to stone hones?

Originally Posted by Euclid440

While lapping film can be used in place of a stones and give as good an edge, I believe it would be easier to lean to hone on synthetic stones then transition to film.

Synthetic stones are fool proof and relatively inexpensive, really you only need 2 stones, 1k and a 4/8k.

Where film falls down is in bevel setting. I routinely use a Chosera 1k to bevel set then finish on 3 and 1um AO film with excellent results. I have bevel set on 5um film but the 1k is much easier, especially if repairs, re-shaping and or chip removal are required.

While in theory one could “hone” with paste, the problem again is with repairs…and, one must learn to strop well… first.

There is no question a properly honed razor can be maintained, indefinitely with paste, linen and leather.

First learn to shave, then hone on quality synthetic stones, then experiment.

I use 30um film to set bevels and have had zero issues with it.

I also don't have much issue with the film sliding or moving on me. I essentially squeegee it and it sticks well.

I have used film to keep my edges for a couple of years. I have also used some naninwa stones. I like the stones better but film works fine. The only problem I have encountered is smiling blades and edge repair. I have used a couple of sheets of wet-dry sandpaper to get frowns or chips out, but it doesn't work nearly as well as the Chosera 1k.

For inexpensive why not send the razor to a pro and be done with it? Unless you have a bunch of not sharp razors ,, it only needs honed once , then if you take care of it maintenance wise it'll last a long time , and on that front, you can just get a touch up hone like a barbers hone , now you can't get much less inexpensive. Good luck Tc

Film will stick well to very flat surface, lap a float glass 3 x12 tile, (Lowes) with a diamond plate, a few laps will get film to stick very well.
Yea, one could do a full film progression and even corrections, but why? Make your life easier…

What film does do well, is get to a straight keen edge quickly and provide a very nice finished edge at 1um and .03 um. I prefer the edge off 1um over a sheet of copy paper, after finishing on 1um. It is a keen comfortable edge.

AO film’s aggressive and even cutting abilities are great for hard steel razors. You can hone 10-20 razors on a single piece of film and get 3 pieces from a full sheet, (use a paper cutter to cut your film).

It is not so much about cost, it’s just another tool… and a good one.

I concidered it as well at some point but in order for it to be economical you would have to order a few of each at a time, otherwise you make one mistake and you have to pay for new lapping film and shipping again. So you're basicly spending some money either way. Then there is a learning curve and you will probably have spend the same amount on lapping film by the time you've got the hang of it as you would have on a nice set of stones.

Film is easy and can create a very keen edge as was said. It creates a very harsh edge though IMO. I used it extensively in the past, even with the paper under it, soap etc. But it is fragile and in the process of wearing down, what grit is it halfway through? 1 um. .5 um? Who knows? And I find hones to be much more versatile, you cant do A LOT of things with film. Pressure has to be very light always or you tear it. And smilers etc. But its good for breadknifed, perfectly flat and straight razors. I havent seen too many of them though! LOL.

Originally Posted by bill3152

Film is easy and can create a very keen edge as was said. It creates a very harsh edge though IMO. I used it extensively in the past, even with the paper under it, soap etc. But it is fragile and in the process of wearing down, what grit is it halfway through? 1 um. .5 um? Who knows? And I find hones to be much more versatile, you cant do A LOT of things with film. Pressure has to be very light always or you tear it. And smilers etc. But its good for breadknifed, perfectly flat and straight razors. I havent seen too many of them though! LOL.

Hmm I've not encountered issues with smiling edges. I will agree with the 1um with paper, much nicer edge, I don't go to .5 or .3.

I've actually played with skipping the first round of 1um and go straight from 3um to 1um with paper and it does well also.

Everyone has their preferences and that is what makes this hobby go around, and what makes it able to appeal to many different people.

The way I see it, the best, and most cost effective way to use lapping film is as a finisher. I can't think of anything that can replace a good bevel setting stone, and, for the intermediate grits, stones again are the best choice. But as a finisher, it's great, doesn't cost, and you can use the same piece many times, like fine sandpaper; it might lose cutting power, but it's still fine.

Originally Posted by Vasilis

The way I see it, the best, and most cost effective way to use lapping film is as a finisher. I can't think of anything that can replace a good bevel setting stone, and, for the intermediate grits, stones again are the best choice. But as a finisher, it's great, doesn't cost, and you can use the same piece many times, like fine sandpaper; it might lose cutting power, but it's still fine.

Maybe I'm not using the right stones. But I find film more cost effective. I buy 9x13 sheets for just over a dollar a piece (no minimum where I order from) cut them into thirds and have essentially a 3x13 stone. I can get between 12-20 razors off of each 3x13 sheet. That's 36-60 razors for a dollar. I don't hone large quantities of razors every day so this is very economical for me.