Thread: sandpaper hone?

Hi.

Instead of using a stone, would you be able to hone on high grit sandpaper sitting flat?
(I assume that there is no way this would work, but I cant think of why not)

Cheers.

You can use sandpaper with good results. Use wet/dry automotive sandpaper, going up through the grits. After you finish with conventional grits, you'll find it necessary to use micron abrasive sheets, such as those by 3m. They even go into submicron sizes. If you don't want to use the extra fine sheets, you could use different polishing compunds on leather or another type of strop.

This will work, and plenty of people have done it, myself included. That said, most also find that the shave off of a stone is much more comfortable. If you plan on using a straight razor, the investment in good stones is very recommended. A Norton 4000/8000 and a Chinese 12k from woodcraft.com can run you about 100 bucks or so, and will last you a very long time.

I recommend the stones, but sandpaper will do. Google "Scary Sharp" for more info on sandpaper sharpening.


Ben

Check out this fairly recent thread on the use of film abrasives.

Regards

Christian

Originally Posted by kaptain_zero

Check out this fairly recent thread on the use of film abrasives.

Regards

Christian

Exactly what I was after, cheers!

i spent my afternoon attacking some ebay razors with sandpaper, and got a wondering about sandpaper grits and hone grits. Ill try and source some of that film abrasive, but being downunder, it may be hard. (just like its hard to find hones)

It's all in the numbers...
I am not saying they don't work well..... but you have to keep byuing them...
Amazon.com: Norton Waterstone Starter Kit: 1) 220/1000 grit stone and 1) 4000/8000 grit stone, 1) SiC flattening stone: Home Improvement

There is a link I just gave to another of the AU members, that is a great way to start off yer HAD....

Sand paper is a tricky way to get started. I end up re-doing more bevels messed up by sand paper use than any other media and when it messes them up, they are really a mess. My opinion only guys.

Lynn

Originally Posted by Lynn

Sand paper is a tricky way to get started. I end up re-doing more bevels messed up by sand paper use than any other media and when it messes them up, they are really a mess. My opinion only guys.

Seeing that this method of honing is often recommended and used by many, what would you say are the most common reasons for sandpaper honing to not work for some people?