does anyone hone with paper? and how?

**chee16** · 10-17-2008, 08:41 PM

i am looking at trying out honing on a cheap antique shop razor but thought i would get some high grit paper, mount a piece of glass to a block of wood and wrap the glass with the paper to create a cheap hone. i know this won't be AS GOOD as a hone but i can't afford a hone right now let alone a proper set up. i'm just wondering if anyone has any experience or suggestions (besides buying some hones ha!) i noticed that 3M makes a decent selection of polishing papers that have a high enough grit. i can't find anything else that goes above 4000grit.

i would love to get one of these : Amazon.com: Norton Waterstone Starter Kit: 1) 220/1000 grit stone and 1) 4000/8000 grit stone, 1) SiC flattening stone: Home Improvement

**Lancer** · 10-17-2008, 10:47 PM

If you want to go higher that the 4K you'll need to find some Diamond lapping paper. 3M makes some but I think you'd have to contact them for the grit specs. Although I suspect that they'd be VERY high numbers as the lapping papers or flims are routienly used to polish the terminations on opticfibre data cables...

wet/dry polishing paper
lapping film

**sidneykidney** · 10-17-2008, 11:26 PM

You might want to contact Old_School. He had something to do with a hone stone lending idea IIRC...

EDIT: Yes I am correct. The thread is here:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...hone-idea.html

His idea was to do with a japanese hone which are usually very fine indeed. If you need a coarser hone- something for getting the edge initially then I suspect if you PM some of our honemeisters and ask very nicely you could send it away to be done very reasonably. If you are lucky you may only have to pay for the postage

SECOND EDIT: Since I see you are in Canada I suspect 'floppyshoes' is the man for you....

http://straightrazorpalace.com/class...oduct/18/cat/4

Whilst I dont know him he is in Canada and has a website. I recommend PM him here first.

**chee16** · 10-18-2008, 02:07 AM

i actually just got a razor back from floppyshoes and it is super sharp, he did a nice job. i can't wait to shave with it.

i did see a cheap 12k chinese stone that someone was looking at on here that was like $20. that may be all i need to keep some of the razors i have up to par as they have already been honed by a pro.

there is a local cars parts retailer that can get me a norton 4k/8k for about $100 but i just can't swing it right now and i suspect there are some better deals out there for that stone, although they will have to be shipped so it may even out in the end.

i also thought about a translucent arkansas stone but they aren't cheap either.

**gingahippy** · 10-18-2008, 11:00 AM

I think The Perfect Edge sells the Norton4/8k for about $65, I have good results with mine but feel the need for a polishing stone still. I can't get the edge I need going from 8k to newspaper of ash on linen.

Make sure you lap the Norton well,round off teh edges adn corners and finsih with 1000 grit wet and dry for a smooth surface. i didn't at first, it was a huge difference when I did.

</TITLE><html> <head> <title>The Perfect Edge

**chee16** · 10-18-2008, 02:12 PM

how about the norton 4k/8k then hit a pastes wooden bench strop then the linen then the leather? i just made a pretty crude but very functional wooden bench strop out of some planed poplar that seems to work pretty good. i haven't pasted it yet. i also have a Surgical Black Arkansas hone (4x2) that i recently realized is around 1200-1600 grit and much too coarse. i am also looking at a chinese 12k stone, but am hoping Chris L will come through with the cut ones he is talking about as they sound pretty good.

so what about setting the bevel with some 1200 grit paper and using the norton after that? i know that setting the bevel is very important, but i also don't have many razors that need to have the bevel reset (1 to be exact) so buying the hone right now seems a bit of a waste, plus they are much easier to find then the high grit stones, atleast where i am.

i am checking the shipping cost from The Perfect Edge as i sent them an e-mail. i hope it isn't much as i think i may be abale to find the money for that. my fingers are crossed. thanks for the link.

**gingahippy** · 10-18-2008, 03:38 PM

I've never tried a wooden strop but it's on the cards.

There was another guy on here who sells the red and green paste and he uses a piece of MDF board, dead flat both sides, one colour past on each side.

That is definately in my near future planes since it will cost little more than the past, the key is to make sure the surface is totally flat.

From what I read around here though the finishing stone is a key part of the kit, everyone seems to swear by their coticule of finishing and a few still prefer an old fashioned barbers hone like a Swaty.

Then it's time for paste.

**chee16** · 10-18-2008, 04:48 PM

ya it is still up in the air whether i will get a norton combo or a pasted strop from Tony Miller. i know the pasted strop doesn't replace a stone but it seems like it would work well for me for now, and be a great tool in combination with the stones once i get them.

my problem is finding a place to buy the strop pastes. i would like to buy some from Tony when i get the 4 sided strop but i don't think he can ship the pastes outside the US due the packaging. i have some Chrome Ox that came with razor i bought but i would like a black and maybe a red also.

**littlesilverbladefromwale** · 10-18-2008, 05:21 PM

I put metal polish on newspaper (and card but it does not work as well as newspaper) to finish of after a Coticule - It wprks really well on razors that like it!

**gingahippy** · 10-18-2008, 05:22 PM

From what they say on here Cro Ox is enough before leather stropping. And not too much since it can wear away your good edge very quickly if not done right.

There is a huge thread about using ash as well, cigar ash is reputedly the best, since it is so fine and is made of carbon (like diamonds) it is a great polisher and has been used for years as a metal polish in some places.

So with your Cro Ox, ash, newspaper, leather strop, cheap wooden paddle strop, you have plenty of good options for finishing your edge.

You will need some kind of stone soon though, if the razor is shave ready then get one of Chris's 12k chinese minatures, that and a leather strop will be all you need to keep touching up, if your technique is good.

But we both know it won't stop there, I can see the addiction coming out in you already. 3 pastes? so soon?

Man, you don't stand a chance. You'll be 20 razor guy before christmas.

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