Nib Smoothing--12,000 or 16,000 Straight Razor Stone?

[SmoothStroke]

Is this possible? Stupid? Dare I say dangerous? I hadn't thought about it until I saw the super-fine stones on a shaving store site.

I send a lot of pens to Mottishaw and Binder; but those are for serious work and/or repair. I have few with slightly scratchy nibs that I would rather not wait 6 months to get back from a smoothing job.

I have tried virtually everything--paper, grocery sacks, plastic, steel, brass, aluminum, glass, ceramic....anything I thought would smooth without being overly agressive.

Thoughts or ideas?

 

[Dave258]

Lapping film. Binder sells a small kit of it, unless you already have the finer ones for your straights. I think Binder's kit came with an orange one and a green one. It also comes with a brass (I think) sheet used to clean out the slit on the nib.

EDIT: Binder also sell what look like nail files that have different grits. I have used the lapping film and "nail files" with success!

 

[chuckr9]

+1 on lapping film (o.3um) and use very light strokes, testing often as it cuts rapidly on gold nibs. I usually hold the pen as I would for writing and make circles on the film. I use the film for honing straights and when it is "used up" it is perfect for FP smoothing. The 1um works also, but is even quicker - so more care needed.