I bought a straight a while ago and have had a few decent shaves from it and it does not seem to shave as well as it did, (it was shave ready ie passed HHT when i bought it) and I stropped it for about 50-70 laps before each shave starting after the first shave. I bought some lapping film but am reluctant to try it for fear of ruining the edge altogether. Is there anybody in the UK midlands, Staffs/Derbys area who would be willing to help me out?
honing help please
- Thread starter ash410
- Start date
What type of a straight is it (brand, size...)? Which lapping film sheets do you have? Do you have a lapping plate?
- Thread starter
- #3
IIRC its a A 9/16" by Friedrich Herder not sure of the wedge, will try to take a few photos later.
and i bought a selection pack of lapping film
Sheet size: 8-1/2" x 11" (216mm x 279mm)
Mineral: Aluminium Oxide and Silicon Carbide as indicated below
Contains one sheet of each of the following grades of lapping film:
Ideally I would like someone to show me the ropes as it were, I have watched the vids on youtube but it aint quite the same as having somebody next to you.
and i bought a selection pack of lapping film
Sheet size: 8-1/2" x 11" (216mm x 279mm)
Mineral: Aluminium Oxide and Silicon Carbide as indicated below
Contains one sheet of each of the following grades of lapping film:
- 40 microns (AO)
- 30 microns (AO)
- 15 microns(SiC)
- 5 microns (AO)
- 1 micron (AO)
- 0.3 micron (AO)
Ideally I would like someone to show me the ropes as it were, I have watched the vids on youtube but it aint quite the same as having somebody next to you.
Just a rehash of what others do, but setting a bevel on a 1.2k DMT, then going to 5um, then 1um, then stropping linen then leather seems to be pretty popular. Probably even balsa with paste before linen, post 1um.
Watch Slash McCoy's video of honing on lapping film. I would tape the spine using 3m electric tape. I use Super 88. Read up on honing on film. It is easy. Make sure the film always has some water on it. Use X-strokes in the following progression:
15 micron until the blade easily shaves arm hair
5 micron 60 laps using light pressure
3 micron 60 laps using very light pressure
1 micron no 30 laps using no pressure
1 micron with copy paper underneath 30 using no pressure
strop on leather and enjoy the shave
It might sound intimidating but it's easy!
If it were me I would simply use the 1 micron for 10 round trip laps then strop on leather and test shave. Repeat until the edge is restored. Use electrical tape on the spine.
If after 3-4 tries it does not shave well then drop back one level in coarseness to 5 microns ( 3 microns would be preferred) for not more than 10 laps, then back to the 1 micron.
There is no point in performing a full blown honing routine. Your razor is not fresh from the antique store with an oxidized, micro-chipped edge. The razor currently has a good edge that simply needs to be refreshed.
If after 3-4 tries it does not shave well then drop back one level in coarseness to 5 microns ( 3 microns would be preferred) for not more than 10 laps, then back to the 1 micron.
There is no point in performing a full blown honing routine. Your razor is not fresh from the antique store with an oxidized, micro-chipped edge. The razor currently has a good edge that simply needs to be refreshed.
I hate to ask but I made a mistake early on and was wondering if the back of the sheets you have are a woven material of shiny flat plastic?
i cahelp i'm 30 minutes down the road in Nottingham, if you need a full rehone on a stone i'll put a nice coti edge on your razor , its no problem , you can even take a drive to Nottingham and i'll do it why your there. i never used lapping film but i sure no my way round my coticule .gary
I agree with this methodology
