Lapping Film - Impressed

[dpetrzelka]

There is definitely something to the lapping film.
I've done two razors now through the full compliment of lapping film using a 3x8 piece of marble I picked up at Home Depot. Works wonderfully, gets them crazy sharp - in fact too sharp/aggressive for my taste. But oh so easy, and affordable. This would be a great place to start for anyone new to honing.

I followed this routine
Taped spine
12µm until HHT1/HHT2 ( split hair , just past violin)
5µm 50 laps
3µm 50 laps
1µm 50 laps
Nylon webbing 40 laps
Leather 60+ laps

I shaved with one that I took all the way through 1um and it was too much for my face, things felt a little raw afterword - but may be just right for many.

I then re-finished both razors on a coticule with just water - just 30-40 laps on coticule after the 1µm film, before the 40 webbing, 60 leather - the shave was wonderful.

These lapping films are a great tool to have in one's honing kit - I won't be giving up my coti, maybe just adding to it.

 

[daverojo77]

There is definitely something to the lapping film.
I've don two razors now through the full compliment of lapping film using a 3x8 piece of marble I picked up at Home Depot. Works wonderfully, gets them crazy sharp - in fact too sharp/aggressive for my taste. But oh so easy, and affordable. This would be a great place to start for anyone new to honing.

I followed this routine
Taped spine
12um until HHT1/HHT2 ( split hair , just past violin)
5um 50 laps
3um 50 laps
1um 50 laps
Nylon webbing 40 laps
Leather 60+ laps

I shaved with one that I took all the way through 1um and it was too much for my face, things felt a little raw afterword - but may be just right for many.

I then re-finished both razors on a coticule with just water - just 30-40 laps on coticule after the 1um film, before the 40 webbing, 60 leather - the shave was wonderful.

These lapping films are a great tool to have in one's honing kit - I won't be giving up my coti, maybe just adding to it.

Thanks for the feedback, I have been mulling over what to do with the lapping films for two weeks now. I got a piece of granite waiting...

 

[dpetrzelka]

daverojo77 - the key, as with any honing, is to spend enough time on the courser grit, 12um, to get the bevel sell set. Many want to hurry and get to the finer stages thinking that is where the action is.

Stay on you 15µm or 12µm until you can split a hair ( HHT ) -then progress through the films.

 

[wquiles]

There is definitely something to the lapping film.

These lapping films are a great tool to have in one's honing kit - I won't be giving up my coti, maybe just adding to it.

+1

I am trying now different ways to do the finishing, but after the DMT1200 for bevel setting, I am totally sold on the easy/convenience of lapping film. It is so easy it almost feel as cheating!

 

[Slash McCoy]

Why tape? That's silly. There is usually no good reason to tape, and very good reasons to not tape.

Want a great finish on film? After your normal laps on 1u, remove the film, apply damp paper (must be very smooth) and reapply the film. Give it a couple dozen light laps, maybe more, but light pressure. The difference is startling. You can also go from 1u film without paper to .3u film with paper for more sharpness. Even more if you then finish with lather on .3u film over paper. Wowza. Lots of laps with the lather, at least 60 or so. You will know you got it when you can sweep the razor 1/4" above your forearm and lop off a whole bunch of hair tops.

Home Depot sells 4" x 12" polished marble edge tiles for $5 that work great with film. Why limit yourself to such a small honing surface? One of the advantages of film is you can have a nice big surface to hone on, longer strokes, enough width to carry the whole edge and still room for your thumb on the off side.

Think you love film now? Wait till you have honed a couple dozen more razors and the fine details start clicking in. This stuff is magic. Rocks are for cavemen. Welcome to the dark side! Happy shaves.

 

[dpetrzelka]

After your normal laps on 1u, remove the film, apply damp paper (must be very smooth) and reapply the film. Give it a couple dozen light laps, maybe more, but light pressure. The difference is startling.

Slash - thanks for the tip on the wet paper trick, I'll give it a try on the next honing.
.3µm might have to me my next acquisition - all these guys talk about HHT5 - I'd like to see that in person someday.

You know I only taped it so I could count on you chiming in

 

[Slash McCoy]

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/283576-Lapping-film-try-it?highlight=lapping+film+try+it
That's a good thread for you to read and save. It is 23 pages long but most of it is very useful information. Several newbies are walked through their first film edges. About every question that could be asked or every suggestion that could be made are to be found there.

 

[Seraphim]

If the 1um feels too harsh, try stopping at the 3um with a sheet of paper underneath.

 

[Buster Casey]

Does the sheet of paper work if your lapping film has an adhesive(glued) back. I got mine from Larry and his film has adhesive, so I was wondering if the wet paper still works.

 

[Seraphim]

Does the sheet of paper work if your lapping film has an adhesive(glued) back. I got mine from Larry and his film has adhesive, so I was wondering if the wet paper still works.

I dunno, I never touch the PSA stuff.

 

[daverojo77]

I went to order a 3u and a 1u the cost came out to 36 dollars. ***, 7.99 for shipping?

Are there any other websites besides Thorlabs?

 

[Slash McCoy]

The ThorLabs film is sold in packs of 10 sheets 9" x 13". You get a lot of film for your money. Basically that is a lifetime supply if you only hone for yourself.

 

[Seraphim]

And Thorlabs gets it to you the next day.

$36 for ultra finish hones?

Can't beat that.

 

[Lomez]

Guys,

Do you ever hone with 1/2 laps? I feel like that would be so much quicker, but mainly read ppl using full laps.

 

[Seraphim]

Guys,

Do you ever hone with 1/2 laps? I feel like that would be so much quicker, but mainly read ppl using full laps.

Do whatever you like.

There are no Honing Police on this forum.

 

[Lomez]

But you don't do it that way right, Seraphim?

And if not, is it bc of the possibility of uneven sides?

 

[Slash McCoy]

I set my bevels that way. I hone just one side until I raise a burr along the entire edge, then flip the blade and do the other side same number of laps and check for burr on the second side. When I have raised a burr from end to end, on both sides in turn, I use regular alternating laps to remove the burr. Then there can be absolutely no doubt whatsoever that the bevel is set properly and well. Since this only needs to be done once, I have no problem with wasting a micron or two of steel. It simply cannot fail if you do it right.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...emo-on-youtube?highlight=youtube+lapping+film

For the rest of the progression, no, I do not use half laps. It is an extreme technique that has its place, but should not be used otherwise IMHO.

 

[Lomez]

Good to know, Slash, and thanks for all your work on here too.

Do you just feel for the bur removal after a certain amount of full laps?

Also,
I watched your vid- and noticed that you use more film than Seraph- he uses 3 and 1u, but if I recall you use the 5/6 and 9 too (right)?
Is that just to speed the process?

 

[dpetrzelka]

I've successfully used half strokes and/or circles for bevel setting - as always watch, listen and feel the progress, rather than counting strokes, to avoid an uneven edge. If you keep an eye on it during half strokes you can control the bevel.

After bevel setting I only use X strokes

 

[Lomez]

Thanks dp,

I should pick up a loupe next.