Thread: Micron paper more predictable than C12 stone

As a new guy with perhaps half a dozen razors at this point, I want to have a go at improving the edge on a few of them. We're talking touch ups here.
I have heard that the Chinese stone is good, but I have seen posts and videos to the effect that the quality is hit and miss. To that end, the poor mans honing system would seem to point to a slab of glass and varying grits of micron paper. Seems like this method would not have the "lottery" factor like the Chinese stones do. (E.g. Depending on the luck o the draw to get a good one. ) Advise a honing noob when y'all have a moment, would ya?

BULLPEN:
You ain't half wrong. Often times what works best is something you believe in. Even though I am a stone man, I say Go For It. Let us know how it works for you........

Jerry
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I don't like the micron paper or sandpaper route myself. I don't want to worry about to staying flat, and I don't like that it wears out/clogs with metal. This is also why I HATE hand sanding razors.

I have used a few PHIGS. Never saw much variation between them; nothing that I noticed anyway.

You could always keep an eye out for a barbers hone, if you want to keep the cost down.

In defense of the PHIG; I don't think that the issue is as much "hit & miss", as it is the experience of the honer with that particular stone. There's really no "lottery" to it if you learn the stone, IMO.
I made the mistake of jumping right on it, without researching the information on it, that is available on this forum.
Craig (Eleblu05) put me on the right track & got me my first successful finish with the PHIG. I then read every PHIG related post I could. It is not my best finisher, but will certainly get the job done.

Yes, there are experienced honers that have gotten some bad performing PHIG's, no doubt.
I just think that some people are lured into getting the PHIG because of the price; then they discover that they have a difficult performer on their hands.
Just my thoughts on the PHIG.

Lapping film performs are well as hones IMO. If you hone a lot it can get expensive as it wears out, and you can tear it. I like the film but so far I like my hones better.

get urself norton or naniwa combo stone I say. it's not that much of an investment and theres always a demand for them so you won't have trouble getting rid of it if you find it's not for you. I think you will have more success with either of those as there is a lot more support available on here from people with experience with them. There are not that many highly skilled honers or honemeisters who use lapping film regularily or at least that's what I think I'm not sure though. I don't think I've ever heard Lynn or Gssixgun or anyone who's videos I've watched make any great mention of the lapping films. And stones are just cool! may the HAD be with you =]

I have used the Films, I still have them.. There is a huge thread on here about using them..

They work

They have their downsides just like Hones/Stones do ..

The obvious downside to using them for people that hone "Alot" is the replacment cost and the repeatability factor, the 2nd razor followed by the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, is not getting the same effect from the sheet, you cant simply dress the flim like you can a hone

The other weakness that doesn't fit for me is the "Push" I hone mostly restores, the edges are not always in the best shape, even using a 1k hone to set the bevels, often times I am still giving the razors little pushes to makes sure that the edge is coming into the line I want.. I found "Pushing" not to be a good thing on films...

Now if I were just a shaver and I had say less then 7 razors that were all in good shape and i simply had to hone them once or twice per year then heck yeah I would seriously consider films and a CBN strop

I will say this, if you like the "Softer" edges that come from natural stones then films are probably not going to be your cup of tea, if you enjoy wickedly sharp edges that whiskers run from then yeppers they might be for you...

Thanks Men. Appreciate the words of wisdom. What I might do is get a small Chinese hone from Larry and some of the paper and experiment a little bit and see which works best...