Has anyone used 3M products for honing thier blades?
They have lapping film at 0.10 micron.
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Has anyone used 3M products for honing thier blades?
They have lapping film at 0.10 micron.
I think there are a few of us who hone with films. They're out there in diamond, aluminum oxide, or silicon carbide. The 0.1µm film wouldn't be useful except as a final polish. I don't go any lower than 0.5µm, after that I'm on the leather. If you do a search, you'll find a bunch of info on the use of films. Welcome to SRP!
I just had a shave off a razor honed to 0.1um, it was nice!
I have been using the 0.1 as of late and the shave is very smooth. You are not sharpening by the time you get to a 0.1, just polishing.
Take Care,
Richard
I guess I may have to get some 0.1µm with my next batch. I've been really happy with my shaves off of the 0.5µm so far. The 0.1µm may spoil me completely!
Oh it will, but be careful! I have had to lay the blade down a little more because it is so smooth it will just slide under your skin :cry: if the pressure is to high or you do not strech your skin enough! The amount of pressure that I use is about the same as I hone with to give you an idea. It is not for everyone and I really don't think I would ever give a razor honed with 0.1um to anyone unless they were very experienced and use to very sharp razors. My goodness it is smooth though!
Take Care,
Richard
Even off the 0.5µm film, both of the German blades I'm currently rotating shave quite well with angles I'd say were 15° or less. My finishing stroke usually has the spine off the skin just enough to escape the suction of laying flat. I just today started sanding the W&B I bought recently off the B&B B/S/T. I think I may be due for some new films once I get it to honing stage. My D. Peres will be finished first, and we'll see what life the films have left after that. I will say that the W&B is the hardest steel I've encountered thus far in my straight razor journey.
Not to restart the "too sharp" debate again. But, this alludes to the reason some prefer a blade that isn't so sharp.Quote:
Originally Posted by riooso
As for me, I sometimes use the 3M 0.5 micron chromium oxide film.
Chromium Oxide 3M Abrasive Paper
Lee Valley Tools - Woodworking Tools, Gardening Tools, Hardware
Item# 54K9501 0.5 Micron CrO, Plain $1.80
I've used the diamond lapping film down to 1.0 micron. I love the stuff. It seems more forgiving and foolproof ( a big plus for me) than stones. Drawbacks are that it is expensive and it wares out. I may order some 0.5 and 0.1 micron just for kicks some day.
I don't know if you have seen this site. I got it from somewhere within the last month and it looks like a great place to get film. I don't know shipping costs but I have a warehouse close to me so I was going to check it out. I called and they said they will sell you any amount as long as it is not special order and of course then there would be a minimum. All the places that I have been to before were really abusive with the minimums and the shipping and handling costs. These guys want your business!Quote:
Originally Posted by matt321
661X - 3Mâ„¢ Diamond Lapping Film 661X Sheets (R.S.Hughes Catalog)
Take Care,
Richard
Check out these prices!!!!!!!!
3M Micro Abrasive Film for Scary Sharpening - Non-PSA at Tools for Working Wood
I had a less than satisfactory dealing with them in the past. I ordered sone sheets, They had one in stock, the rest backordered. They shipped me the one, charging me full shipping (for a single sheet!)....I call them and ask if they are also going to charge me shipping for the backordered stuff..."Oh yes!".Quote:
Originally Posted by riooso
I cancelled the order.:rant:
Rather, check out Thorlabs, Inc. - Your Source for Fiber Optics, Laser Diodes, Optical Instrumentation and Polarization Measurement & ControlQuote:
Originally Posted by dcs5458
Search for lapping film. The alum oxide is a good price.
Well it goes to show you. Thor Labs sucked for me. They raised their minimum so you couldn't buy just one sheet even if you wanted 5 different ones. I had to spend $120 with 4 other guys so that we could get it down to a decent price. I guess they have us coming and going. The only thing to do is to walk in then.
Later,
Richard
I was part of a group buy from Thorlabs, not sure if it was the same one with you. I have been very happy with the product I received for the price I paid. I've been looking at PSI for my next order.
I agree with you about the quality of the product but a 3 weeks before they decide that they are going to change the minimum quantity to 5 sheets. I like the idea of getting 0.5 and 0.1 diamond films which they don't carry. I really only use films on my stainless and very hard steel razors. Recently have been using a 0.1um for finishing and really like the results.Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulX608
Take Care,
Richard
Thorlabs price per square inch for the diamond is about $0.23/sq inch, which is the best price I have found so far.
You can also Try PSIdragon for diamond. ~$32 for a 9x11 sheet, which is ~$0.32/sq inch, but you can buy individual sheets, although they are larger. a 9x11 will make 4 2.75 x 9 honing sheets, which is a nice size. They also carry all the grits, down to 0.1um.
I was going to get PSI's 3"X6" sheets. That's the size of my glass block and the size to whicn I would cut larger pieces. If I were to cut them out of a 9"X11" I'd get 4 3"X6", 1 2"X6", and 1 3"X5". The two smaller pieces, while perfectly useable, would be a bit inconvenient to me. The Thorlab stuff was 6"X6". I'm not as concerned with saving a few cents/in² as I am making sure I get a quality product that is in a convenient form for my use.