Thread: Beginners Lapping Film Kit

My initial stopping technique left much to be desired. I even stropped the razor edge first once by accident when I was trying to get faster.. almost cut the strop in half! So the edge is less than crisp at this point and I'm looking into sprays, pastes and hones. I'm dirt poor, which can make razor maintenance an issue, but ideally I would like to have all the tools neccesary to repair any damages, and keep the edge as sharp as is finacially possible. That's when I discovered lapping films!

Can anyone recommend a good "Kit" for a total novice for budget blade maintenance and repair?
I'm thinking repairs will probably have to be done on a stone, which isnt going to be cheap.. but can films take over from there?
How many sheets should I get and in what intervals should I step up to get from A to Z?

Any input is appreciated, thanks!

I have some film that was given to me. I have yet to use it simply because I like the feel of rocks when I hone. So I can't speak a lot to film.

Thanks to FuzzyChops for the link.

For a conventional alternative Diamond spray and Crox are not that expensive. Also a Belgium Blue at SRD ranges from 40 to 75.

Just a few ideas. Others can add to this.

Originally Posted by FOCUS

This is EXACTLY what I'm looking for!! Thanks so much!
So I understand correctly, that stone can set the bevel on even a damaged edge? I though you're supposed to start at very low grits and move up, I was surprised to see 1200 .. but then again I dont know much about stones.. yet.. so this is a Great entrylevel price for a maintenance kit!

You can do plenty of damage with the 1200, no need to go lower until you have a some more experience.

Break the dmt in with a screwdriver shank or chisel for a few minutes. Then wash it well. You don't want loose diamond grit on the plate when you start using it. And a drop of dish soap on the plate while your using it makes it a little gentler. Watch your pressure with it though as diamonds cut deep.

As with many things in this hobby, experiment with film you will get different results with different steels.
Recently I honed a recalcitrant Sheffield super hard razor, the 3 micron film brought the edge togeather in 10 laps.

What is really interesting is the cutting power of film and how quickly and evenly it produces a perfectly straight edge with mill like uniform stria.

The .03 film is optional, personally I like the edge off the 1um film with paper. (Cut a piece of copy paper the size of the film and place under your finish film. It will polish the edge finer by producing a convex edge. You can use 1 or 2 pieces of paper, 2-3 finishing laps.)

Cut your film on a paper cutter, you can hone on a marble or ceramic tile, I use a 3 x 9.75 inch beveled ceramic tile, less than 5 buck at Home Depot. I bought it not for the bevel but for the size. Place the film on the straight edge side, bevel on the razor toe side, the bevel does not matter.

When you feel the film begin to dull 6-10 razors, 10-15 laps per, spin the film 180 degrees, some say they get as many as double the amount of honing’s per sheet, but I prefer a fresh cutting piece. It is really inexpensive on a per use basis.

Also a drop or two of liquid soap on the diamond plate for 4-6 finishing laps will refine the edge, or a good 1K stone preps the edge for the film. Do break in the diamond plate by sharpening you kitchen knives as said, a 1k is a good general purpose edge for most cooking use as a side benefit to prepping the plate.