Thread: Microtome Sharpener

This was recently auctioned as a microtome sharpener. Frosted glass with honing compounds. Interesting.

Would it work for razors? Anyone ever try something like this?

It's a microtome finishing plate.
Usually had 4 powders with them: Tripoli, chromium oxide, ferric oxide, and carbon black that you mixed with glycerin to make a paste on the glass.
So it was used to touch up a microtome much the way you would touch up a razor with a pasted strop.
If it is the original glass, it is precision ground to be flat and the most expensive part of the kit.
Yes it will work for straight razors, knives, wood chisels, wood gouges, and plane irons.

The biggest problem with them is that it makes a mess cleaning the powders off between grits.

Thanks Chris. I didn’t buy it. But sure was impressed with it.

Originally Posted by MrHouston

This was recently auctioned as a microtome sharpener. Frosted glass with honing compounds. Interesting.

Would it work for razors? Anyone ever try something like this?

I'd bet a bunch of us tried it with a Spyderco UF stone & diamond powders. It's close to glass hard
Worked ok for me on a super hard Iwasaki western.

Actually have never tried this device. However, I use bubble plate glass plates as finishing devices. Set the bevel with 1K and move to a 6K to smooth the edge. Then go with the first plate glass that has a slight rough surface. I use honing oil with cigar ash as a medium. Maybe 20 passes and then switch to the smooth bubble glass plate with just honing oil with about 20 passes of light pressure.

Believe or not I get the smoothest and best edges from this glass. Looking at them under a 30X loupe after finishing I was amazed at the edge that I saw. Strop as usual and it was really comfortable and close. Only two passes (WTG & ATG) necessary. No need for all those expensive finishers that everyone raves about here.

I want it. Just cuz.

Originally Posted by Johntoad57

Actually have never tried this device. However, I use bubble plate glass plates as finishing devices. Set the bevel with 1K and move to a 6K to smooth the edge. Then go with the first plate glass that has a slight rough surface. I use honing oil with cigar ash as a medium. Maybe 20 passes and then switch to the smooth bubble glass plate with just honing oil with about 20 passes of light pressure.

Believe or not I get the smoothest and best edges from this glass. Looking at them under a 30X loupe after finishing I was amazed at the edge that I saw. Strop as usual and it was really comfortable and close. Only two passes (WTG & ATG) necessary. No need for all those expensive finishers that everyone raves about here.

Yeah but those finishers don't smell like an ashtray

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Yeah but those finishers don't smell like an ashtray

What can I say? The shaves that I get from this process is worth the smell and smoking them cigars is even better!

Originally Posted by Johntoad57

What can I say? The shaves that I get from this process is worth the smell and smoking them cigars is even better!

Har ! I love the smell of Birch tar oil on leather & timber.

Wow, that is so cool! I think I need one.....Uhh want one.......