Thread: Noob Needing Advice

I'm a total noob to honing, but I have several eBay specials that I want to work on. I've been using straights since January, and now that I know I'm going to stick with it, I need to know how to maintain them.

Since I have nothing, I am going to get a 1K for bevel setting. I've read about lapping film and that seems like a nice economical way to go, but I don't know if it is for me.

A couple of questions

1. If I were to go stones all the way, which would make the best set for progression from bevel setting to polishing?

2. If I were to use lapping films, what progression should I use?

Thanks for the help!

Welcome to SRP. I know nothing about the abrasive films for honing. The hones that most members are familiar with on this forum seem to be Norton, Naniwa and Shapton. Here is the SRP Wiki where you can find tutorials on honing and some info on which is which. More people will post to this thread so stay tuned for other opinions.

There are a few members testing out abrasive films for razors. Think I saw a post a few weeks ago. I've tried them for kitchen knives but not razors.

As for stones, It comes down to personal preference and the wallet. Good starter set would be nortons, 1k 4k 8k.. the list can get funny from there

For Ebay/antique store razors I do not bother with a 1K stone.
They are to slow. The most effective options to remove the old oxidized edge and nicks are sandpaper ( which I prefer), 400-1000 grit, or a DMT 1200 diamond hone. Once the old steel and nicks are removed then you can go to either a 1K stone and smooth out the edge or a 4K stone and "set" the bevel. I prefer the Norton 4K, it is fast. But..I have not tried the Shapton Glass or Naniwas 4K so I cannot compare them.


Just my $.02,

Any lapping film users want to opine?

Well, Since I don't use them, I cannot comment on lapping films. I do have a serious hone problem. Some of the newest ones to my collection are fantastic and deserve a look. Check out Naniwa superstones. They are very affordable, Available at SRD. They are soft, give great feedback, and are easy to lapp. The work quickly and are available from 220g up to the popular 12k.

Another good starter hone set would be the Nortons. You can get a 220k/1k and 4000k/8000k with a lapping plate at Water Stone Kit

They go for 125 USD basically. Any of these would be a good start.

Randy, I have a full set of Naniwas that I will gladly bring to the MN meetup! That way SRD can make more money!!

For lapping films, you can get away with just a 6, 3, 1, and 0.5 micron film. If you want, you can also throw in a 10 micron film. Keep in mind that you are going to need a flat surface to use them. I have used them, but I believe that Seraphim most likely has the most experience with them.

Is the general consensus that if you are going to use lapping films that you need to do at least up to 6k or 8K on stones and then move over to them? Or can you go straight from a DMT 1200 grit (or similar) to the films?

Originally Posted by Utopian

Randy, I have a full set of Naniwas that I will gladly bring to the MN meetup! That way SRD can make more money!!

Bring them all and your scope, I will bring mine this time and maybe Dresden will bring his. I hope Mike Blue has enough tables!


Sorry for the Hijack.

Originally Posted by randydance062449

Bring them all and your scope, I will bring mine this time and maybe Dresden will bring his. I hope Mike Blue has enough tables!


Sorry for the Hijack.

No problem. What makes the Shapton stones so expensive?