Honing without a hone

I am strongly considering using some of the papers at HandAmerican to hone my razor, instead of buying a Norton 4k/8k stone. The papers that I am looking at are:

6 micron Silicon Carbide (approx 4,000 grit)
2.5 micron Silicon Carbide (approx 9,000 grit)

and maybe one of these to polish:

1.8 micron Boron Carbide (approx 11,000 grit)
0.5 micron Chromium Oxide (approx 60,000 grit)

(I wish there was a paper between the 1.8 and 0.5 micron.)

These papers run less than $2.00 usd compaired to a Norton stone at $80.00 usd. If these work, they would be idea for someone on a tight budget.

Has anyone tried these papers to hone and polish their razors?


Bob

I don't use the papers, but I use their boron carbide and chrome oxide on paddles. It's not really as big a jump as you'd think, the boron carbide leaves a very smooth edge by itself, so there isn't as much for the chrome oxide to do as there would be coming from a norton or swaty. And it's not *that* much of a deal to go from the 8k norton directly to the chrome oxide...

mparker762, if I understand you correctly, you advocate skipping the 2.5 micron Silicon Carbide paper (approx 9,000 grit). Looking at the 1.8 micron Boron Carbide paper (approx 11,000 grit), this would make sense. (If I can get HandAmerican to 'make' PSA paper with the Boron Carbide.)

How do you feel about honing with the 2.5 micron Silicon Carbide paper?


Bob

The papers will work but you're doing things the hard way. Nevertheless, it's a good learning experience and you'll know when you're ready to move to a stone.