Thread: Honing with sandpaper?

I understand they make really REALLY fine sandpaper you can use to hone your razors, but honestly, if you're going to invest the money in sheets of sandpaper, you might as well get a stone that will last you for decades IMO.

But I hear it can be done if you really want to go that route.

I have been using this for my woodworking tools. I just got my first straight razor, a Gold Dollar and decided to go with what I know for sharpening. I started at 400 grit with some honing oil and worked up to 1200 grit, then realized I had run out of higher grits. But at 1200 it will take hair off of my arm with no problem. Not ready to try that on my face yet but the paper does work very well.

I like the Scary Sharp system, it is fairly cheap to get into and gives great results. I will be picking up some 5, 1, and .3 micron paper in the next day or two so I will post the results.

I'm trying to be a little more careful with my sharpening on my razor than I am with my tools because my chisels don't get anywhere near my face!

One other thing... If you can get it find a piece of granite that is flat it works the best for your base. MDF will work in a pinch but the granite doesn't absorb moisture and stays flat.

I normally try to discourage people from using sandpaper to hone razors as I see significant problems from those who have damaged their razors with sandpaper and then sent them to me for repair.

Considering your razor, sandpaper may just be the ticket.

Have fun,

Lynn

Originally Posted by kcox

I have been using this for my woodworking tools. I just got my first straight razor, a Gold Dollar and decided to go with what I know for sharpening. I started at 400 grit with some honing oil and worked up to 1200 grit, then realized I had run out of higher grits. But at 1200 it will take hair off of my arm with no problem. Not ready to try that on my face yet but the paper does work very well.

I like the Scary Sharp system, it is fairly cheap to get into and gives great results. I will be picking up some 5, 1, and .3 micron paper in the next day or two so I will post the results.

I'm trying to be a little more careful with my sharpening on my razor than I am with my tools because my chisels don't get anywhere near my face!

One other thing... If you can get it find a piece of granite that is flat it works the best for your base. MDF will work in a pinch but the granite doesn't absorb moisture and stays flat.

Sometimes you want to spare your expensive 1K - 3K stones getting too much wear from the blades that need a lot of honing.
I've honed 1 or 2 razors but huge amount of woodworking tools and knives on a high grit sandpaper (say 1000 - 2000) before moving to higher grit stones.
Just glue the paper into flat heavy surface to make sure it is 100% flat. Piece of glass attached on a thick flat wood, marble or anything such will do. I also clamp the base on the table to prevent it from moving during honing process.

Originally Posted by Sailor

Sometimes you want to spare your expensive 1K - 3K stones getting too much wear from the blades that need a lot of honing.
I've honed 1 or 2 razors but huge amount of woodworking tools and knives on a high grit sandpaper (say 1000 - 2000) before moving to higher grit stones.
Just glue the paper into flat heavy surface to make sure it is 100% flat. Piece of glass attached on a thick flat wood, marble or anything such will do. I also clamp the base on the table to prevent it from moving during honing process.

I would only say again that the razors I see, NOT TOOLS OR KNIVES seem to be significantly damaged by the use of sandpaper, especially from new people learning to hone and take considerable work to get back into shaving shape.

Have fun.

Originally Posted by Lynn

I would only say again that the razors I see, NOT TOOLS OR KNIVES seem to be significantly damaged by the use of sandpaper, especially from new people learning to hone and take considerable work to get back into shaving shape.

Have fun.

You are right. What i meant is that it can be done with a sandpaper if you know what you are doing. I've tried with one or two razors, just to see if it can be done. Another point is of course that there is no much point honing a razor on a sandpaper. You cannot ever cause much wear to a hone with a single razor.
Of course if not familiar with honing with a sandpaper it is easy to damage even woodworking blades.