Finally ready to pull the trigger.

[twitch182]

I was re-reading (for the 1000th time) the Seraphim's Synthetic Progression thread. I currently own 4 straights, and the edge is starting to fade on 'em, so I figure that this is the perfect time to get my feet wet honing. I was leaning towards Coticules for a long time, but after reading thread after thread starting with something 'easier' than natural stones, I think my time has come to pick up a DMT, some lapping film, a cotten strop and some .5 micron spray.

I was thinking I would spread out the purchases a bit, working in reverse order:

1) A cotten strop and some .5 micron spray. I noticed that Seraphim uses a mix of diamond and AlOx, should I pickup both sprays, or just one?
2) Some 1 micron lapping film. I'll pick up some 3 micron if it's needed too, but it seems like 3 micron ~= to the 1200 DMT and so isn't necessary. Is that correct?
3) A DMT 1200

I'm not planning on doing any major chip repair, or setting the bevel on to very many razors, so I'll hold off on getting a DMT 600 for a while if ever.

Does that look good? If I haven't missed anything, I'll pick up the cotten strop, the spray(s) and some 1 micron lapping film today.

 

[AjaxLepinski]

When you start working your edge, you will need to be able to check on your progress.
Get one of these 60x loupes: http://www.amazon.com/30X-AND-60X-LE...=60x+magnifier
Anything under 60x is too weak to see what's going on.
You've already read Seraphim's Synthetic Progression so, you'll know what you'll be looking at through the loupe.
Keep in mind that honing is not about counting out a specific number of strokes, it's about teasing the edge out...
50 laps on one rock or film may work with one specific razor but, not on another.
Have fun!!!

 

[Doc226]

The jump from 1200 to the 3 micron is a big one, could be done but it is quite a gap

The 3 micron is about 8K, the 1 micron is about 12K

 

[Tierdaen]

3 micron film should be around 4k equivalent Naniwa, much finer than the 1200 DMT.

You don't need to do any weird mixing of abrasive compounds...get something simple and easy to use. Chromium oxide, Dovo paste, diamond or CBN spray...all will put a sharp edge on a razor. You may need to experiment until you find what your face likes, so start cheap.

the 1-micron green stuff is nice to use and I wish I had gotten more of it.

Going with the compound on a balsa or other strop as well as some 1-micron film is good for touchups. I also have been playing with 0.5mm diamond film and quite like it.

 

[rickboone1]

Have you tried seraphims edges? You may not like them, so would be no need to mimicking what he does. If you have, then you know what you like so run with it. I see no reason for a DMT at all.

 

[Seraphim]

Yes, the DMT is recommended for bevel setting. If you already have shave ready razors, the 1um and a pasted strop should keep you in business for a long time.