Thread: Charnley Forest hone lapping question

I use the same method ad Scott. Works perfectly fine every time. After the shapton gs 16K I start with 50 on the CF with the method described by Scott.
I do this for good razors that can't handle the shapton gs 30k.

Scott. Please take out and start to use you Cf again
You will like it

Originally Posted by shooter74743

I haven't finishied on my CF in years...so this is off memory, but I don't use any voodoo magic.

I worked with my CF for quite a while before I figured it out, it was my first IIRC. I started out with mineral oil and felt that it was too thick. Someone mentioned sewing machine oil, I still felt it was too thick. I then started experimenting and found a 50/50 ratio of Kroil and mineral oil works well & then later found Smith's honing solution to be good & it's actually not a oil.

My CF is very fine & I hone on it as I do any other finisher of mine. I hone a razor on a progression of Shapton's to 16K. Then add a4-5 drops of the honing solution on a very clean stone. Then I hone, taking my time, slow strokes, and using a slight x stroke. I use only the blade weight and a high number of passes, say 100. Pay particular attention to how you flip the blade on the stone stone or you can damage the edge. You will notice when honing iwth oil, slow is good so you can feel the blade moving along the surface of your CF.

I'm not sure if a CF actually hones at a microscopic level or if it burnishes, but the end result of a properly honed razor will be a smooth, but very sharp feeling edge...I call it a crisp edge. It's an edge that I need to get back to when I hone up some razors...you made me think about it and like I said...I haven't honed a razor off mine in a long time.

Attachment 189105

Smith’s is sold at Lowe’s and Ace hardware, here in California, but not all of them carry it. A lot of knife stores carry it.

Sells for about 5-6 bucks, one bottle lasts a long time. I put it in a 1oz empty make makeup sample squeeze bottle, that will release just one drop at a time. The bottle it comes in releases more of a stream and you don’t need that much. Wet the stone, add a drop at each end and one in the middle.

Cool, sounds good! I already have it on order so I should have it in a few days.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

I haven't finishied on my CF in years...so this is off memory, but I don't use any voodoo magic.

I worked with my CF for quite a while before I figured it out, it was my first IIRC. I started out with mineral oil and felt that it was too thick. Someone mentioned sewing machine oil, I still felt it was too thick. I then started experimenting and found a 50/50 ratio of Kroil and mineral oil works well & then later found Smith's honing solution to be good & it's actually not a oil.

My CF is very fine & I hone on it as I do any other finisher of mine. I hone a razor on a progression of Shapton's to 16K. Then add a4-5 drops of the honing solution on a very clean stone. Then I hone, taking my time, slow strokes, and using a slight x stroke. I use only the blade weight and a high number of passes, say 100. Pay particular attention to how you flip the blade on the stone stone or you can damage the edge. You will notice when honing iwth oil, slow is good so you can feel the blade moving along the surface of your CF.

I'm not sure if a CF actually hones at a microscopic level or if it burnishes, but the end result of a properly honed razor will be a smooth, but very sharp feeling edge...I call it a crisp edge. It's an edge that I need to get back to when I hone up some razors...you made me think about it and like I said...I haven't honed a razor off mine in a long time.

Attachment 189105

Thanks a lot mate !!! I have Dan's honing oil which is a light one, I will try that one....

Originally Posted by engine46

Cool, sounds good! I already have it on order so I should have it in a few days.

That was quick, I just got it!!! I also fond an old Smith's knife sharpener & it had a small bottle of it in there but was almost empty.

That's it, it will last you a LONG time as I only use 4-5 drops at a time

Originally Posted by shooter74743

That's it, it will last you a LONG time as I only use 4-5 drops at a time

I could have gone to Lowe's or Ace but my Harley is my only transportation for now & it's wrecked but still drivable & I only go where I need to go for now. I have some money set aside for a good dependable used car but still need a little more money. I'm waiting to sell another larger item. I just sold a Muncie 4 speed the other day I've had for years from my hot rod days. I felt better just ordering it, free shipping to my mailbox so now I have my honing fluid. Thanks Shooter!

Originally Posted by shooter74743

That's it, it will last you a LONG time as I only use 4-5 drops at a time

I just tried it late last night. It worked great. I honed a French straight using my Chosera 1k to set bevel, then my Shapton 1k, 2k, 4k, 6k, 8k & 16k. I then used 4-5 drops of the Smith's & some water. I have a very nice thin bevel with a mirror shiny, sharp edge. I gave it about 100 strokes on the CF.

Give us the important information...how does she shave?

Originally Posted by shooter74743

Give us the important information...how does she shave?

I'll keep ya posted real soon.