Thread: Question about using microfilm for honing

I read the article: 'Using micro abrasive film'
I thought this was a good article and would like to try this to sharpen knives and I might use it later to touch up razors.
I have a question about the micron compared to grit.
I read the wiki:
Formulae For Converting Between Grit and Microns - Straight Razor Place Wiki
but other places give a different rating such as:http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/pag...04&cat=1,43072

My questions are:
What do the microns 5 and 1 work out to in grit?
How would a person apply the non psa film to a surface?

Is there a good place to order single sheets?

Thanks for advice

i have seen some people uses it with great success. Never tried myself.
i always prefer hones. (at the end safes more money)>
i am not sure from where in Canada you can buy it but try online search you may be lucky.
gl

According to the document 5 micron lapping film should be ~ 6000 grit. The 1 µm films are about 10.000. I used both films. After the 1 micron film I strop the blade with Cr2O3 on balsa.

Originally Posted by walto

According to the document 5 micron lapping film should be ~ 6000 grit. The 1 µm films are about 10.000. I used both films. After the 1 micron film I strop the blade with Cr2O3 on balsa.

I looks like the grit depends on the type of stone.
Thanks

As for holding it down, the water will bind it just fine. Sometimes it may slip, but not generally. I use glass for a substrate, but have heard of others using acrylic and granite. It is expensive in the long term, but for an occasional razor it works fine. Does "Tools for working wood" not ship to Canada?

-G

Originally Posted by deighaingeal

Does "Tools for working wood" not ship to Canada?
-G

I think they do. I just wanted to know if I could order in single sheets. Actually I found a Lee Valley in the city where I live. They have 5 micron in psa and non, but they don't have 1 micron, just .5.

Is there a certain order that honing is better to be done in. On the wiki I think it is 1k 4k and 8k for the Norton. What are other methods people have used? I would like to keep the number of hones down I would need to buy.

I looked at my sources and nobody I use has singles.

Are you looking for a razor progression or for your knives.

The progression partially is dictated by what you have available. I have a 10, 5, 3, 1, 0.5 & 0.3 micorn. Also from what I understand the diamond has a better chance of handling a grit skip easier than the aluminum oxide.

-G

Originally Posted by deighaingeal

Are you looking for a razor progression or for your knives.
-G

At the moment I am going to do my knives. I have some 1000 grit wet or dry sandpaper, and I thought I would try the 5 micron abrasive with that if it is not too much. In the article they use this, but would it be easier to use something between. Also I would like to know what to use if I need to sharpen a razor, and also to maintain sharpness.

What kind of knives will you be sharpening? If this is a daily carry I wouldn't go that fine.
What kind of steel is it?
What is the hardness of these blades?

Many blades will not benefit from 5 micron. I would suggest looking for a SiC wet/dry paper for this. Maybe look at an autobody supply. That could help close the gap or just give you the final boost you are looking for.
I was playing with high grits on my knives a while back. I used to just run them on a high grit belt, but I first tried them on my tormek. I later used a leather wheeled hone that I made with different compounds and found that I could occasionally get better edges, but they all eventually plateaued and a few even started going backwards in sharpness levels.

-G

Originally Posted by deighaingeal

What kind of knives will you be sharpening? If this is a daily carry I wouldn't go that fine.
What kind of steel is it?
What is the hardness of these blades?
-G

The knives are Edelstahl stainless. I don't know what the hardness is. I got these from a liquidation center.It is a set of 6 knives and a pair of scissors.
I can get some 2000 or maybe 2500 grit wet or dry sandpaper.