Thread: emery cloth for honing

Okay this may be kind of out there but I have done this with all types of knives and it worked great but never tried a razor. I have one of the 12"x12" granite slabs sold by lee valley tools. the way it is used is you wet the surface and "stick" a piece of sandpaper to it then use the sand paper as a hone for woodworking tools. How do ya'll think this would work on a razor for establishing the bevel? Start off with say 800-1000 grit and work up to 2000 grit then move on to the fine finishing stones. The reason I ask this is because of price. You can tie up a considerable sum in stones and I thought this would be a good way for a beginner in honing to get started on the cheap. I have 10-15 good stones so this isn't something I would need to do but thought if it would work it might help someone else. The cost of the granite slab is about $30.00 plus a couple dollars for the sandpaper. I thought this might be a good way to get three or four different grit "hones" for less than $40.00

Not to be disrespectful, but some of the worst razor edges I get in for restoration have been destroyed by sandpaper. I normally advise folks against its use for razor honing. Sharpening knives is an entirely different sport than honing razors. Take a look around in the honing section and see if you can pick up some razor stuff, before trying to equate what you have done with knives to razors.

Have fun,

Lynn

Would this apply to the use of lapping film aswell? From my understanding it is possible to get scary sharp edge as they say, the grits range from 400 to .3 micron. I know members have had success using it for polishing just wondering if anyone has used it from bevel set on up.

It will work just fine. Sharpening a razor is just like sharpening any other type of knife to a fine edge.

Originally Posted by JeffR

Sharpening a razor is just like sharpening any other type of knife to a fine edge.

I could not disagree more.

Originally Posted by JeffR

It will work just fine. Sharpening a razor is just like sharpening any other type of knife to a fine edge.

Just out of curiosity: how many razors have you "sharpened"? Hint: Not enough by far, because your statement is as far from the truth as possible.

The gentlemen above are the authority on razors, but, as it appears you are newer to razors, (honing), as am I, and I am familiar with the sharpening method your refer to, (I think it was first termed 'Scary Sharp'); I have sharpened carving knives, chisels, hand-plane blades with this system and for those applications, have a wonderful result, (cutting dovetails, mortises, chip-carving and relief carving). With that said, those are not shaving razors...not the same game.

By following the methods taught here and a few tips to questions I posted, I have had great success in my initial honing trials. I still have a bit of difficulty in 'smiling' edges with the rolling stroke, (haven't tried a frown yet), but, with anything approaching straight...great.

As it is not unusal for a newer guy to think there is a short-cut, etc., I will attest that there really isn't. Kind of like working on an engine with pliers...you'll just screw stuff up, so to speak.

As stated, I sharpened tools by the method you bring up...great, and I've sharpened razors...the two don't mix.

Good luck...I find honing a good quiet use of time...enjoyable!