Honing on Lapping Film

Tutorial for beginning honers using lapping film.

[@CallMeDblOSeven]

When you get comments like this one, which is over three years late to the party, you can be sure that your video is a gift that keeps on giving. Thank you very much Mike.

[@analogoutdoors]

Awesome. Thanks, Michael!

[@seanstapelfeld]

@@analogoutdoorsimagine the gift it is 5years late haha

[@mackasenior10]

Great video very detailed and helpful

[@analogoutdoors]

Thank you.And thanks for watching and commenting.

[@782sirbrian]

Nice work Mike, I'm a big fan of finishing on lapping film. The white 0.3 micron really does get a keen edge on a razor.

[@analogoutdoors]

Thanks, Brian. I know you recognize the blade. ;) I used film when I first started. I have the stones now and don't need to use film, but I keep it in my repertoire, because the edges are fantastic. Another color in the pallette.

[@maninarush2112]

i was initially looking for videos on sub-micron lapping, but this is WAY more interesting. thanks for the video! i don't have straight razors, but i might try to transfer some of your wisdom to my knife sharpening

[@analogoutdoors]

Thanks, Christopher, and welcome. If you are interested in knife sharpening, I have a playlist titled "Sharpening" that deals with that.But feel free to browse my channel however you want, there are lots of things here.

[@redstrat1234]

That was great.

[@analogoutdoors]

Thanks.

[@kennethgibson3296]

Mike good video brother that’s the thing with knifes and razors if you have a problem getting a edge or setting a bevel or sharpening you have to address the problem and figure out what’s causing it and you know definitely how to do that my friend ppl have to understand things happen for a reason and that the part you have to figure out but you also have to take the right steps to fixing a problem and that’s the biggest part ppl have trouble with I like your videos brother it’s really awesome you take your time and trying to teach ppl you don’t see much of that these days the most I have learned through my adult hood is learning from humble men like you take care brother God Bless..

[@analogoutdoors]

Thanks, Kenneth

[@abefrohman1759]

Nice tutorial Mike. 👍💈

[@analogoutdoors]

Thanks, Abe.

[@bluesriff418]

Very instructive my friend, I may try it one day if I can get the time lol. Maybe the day I will retired I’ll have time to do a complete hone job on my straights. Keep on the good job and your miss your vocation you should’ve become a teacher. Gino

[@analogoutdoors]

Thanks, Gino!

[@andydixon914]

Very good video brother. I’m keen on trying this

[@analogoutdoors]

You are welcome. It's a great way to hone razors.

[@bonferoni6664]

Thanks for the tutorial? I have been trying to hone my razor with 3M lapping film but have had very limited success. I started with 9 micron, then 3, 1, and .03 like you showed. I used sharpie on the edge to ensure I was getting full contact. Also, my razor is bowed so I used a rolling motion like you showed. After the 9 micron film, it will shave arm hair and bite into my wet fingernail. However, it only marginally improves from there. After .3 and stropping plain leather it barely can top my arm hair. It pops a couple hairs then misses most of them. I can still shave with it but it is really grabby. What do you think my problem is? Is 9 to 3 micron to big a step down in grit size?

[@analogoutdoors]

Most likely it was an incomplete bevel set. What you are describing sounds like that.

[@bonferoni6664]

@@analogoutdoors Thanks for the info. Keep up the good work!

[@trueblu8]

@@bonferoni6664 were you able to figure out the problem?

[@knightmare1015]

Very nice! I've never heard of using 1K wet/dry sandpaper to set a bevel before which sounds very interesting. .5 micron = 30K grit. That's what Shapton's 30K stone is rated at in terms of microns. Hopefully that will give a rough estimate as to what the .3 & .1 microns are give or take a little. :D

[@analogoutdoors]

Thanks, Stephen!

[@JT-nf9tk]

Hi Mike, I want to thank you for recommending Specialized Supplies for lapping films. I just received my shipment a week ago. I hve been SR shaving for 8 months and now I have to start honing some of my razors. I have a few questions. What do you use to cut the films so that the edge is straight? When finished, how do you dry the films and do you keep the films on the plate? Finally, should I start on the 3 micron or the 1 micron in the progression. I don't have a loupe so should I do a 50 laps on a film and then go on to next progression? Sorry about all these questions, but I want to do this right.

[@analogoutdoors]

Joseph, I'm glad I could help. As to order of grit, come off of whatever you use for bevel set and move to 3 micron. As far as how long to stay there/how many laps, I'd start with two sets of 40. You might have to do more, depending on the steel or other factors. Only you will know, and it will come through experience. What I would tell you is make absolutely certain you have a solid bevel set before you move to the lapping film. If you don't have a loupe you can look at the edge by turning it until you can see it clearly under a strong light. Not ideal, but you can tell the difference in the polish of the edge from grit to grit that way. All of this is a learning experience. Did I mention a solid bevel set? Then when you are satisfied you have done all you can on the 3 micron, move to the 1 to finish. Same thing; 2 sets of 40 to start. And it doesn't hurt to do more if you think it needs it, the 2 sets of 40 is just a suggestion. There is no magic number. You hone until you are done. Then move to the strop. If you are new to honing this is a great group with a ton of information and help. Make sure you answer the questions if you decide to join or you wont get in. facebook.com/groups/650942655017154/

[@JT-nf9tk]

@@analogoutdoors Thanks for getting back to me, Mike! I bought my razors new, so don't think I have to go to a higher grit than 3 micron. I will let you know how it went. Thanks!

[@JT-nf9tk]

Oh, I am already a member of that honing group on FB, Thanks again.

[@JT-nf9tk]

Hi Mike, Just wanted to let you know, I honed my first straight razor with the lapping films and I got an awesome shave from it. The razor just slid across my skin taking off a 40 hour stubble with hardly any pressure. I started on the 1 mu and progressed on the .3 mu. Again, this was my first attempt at honing and am quite pleased with my result. Thanks again for your input!

[@analogoutdoors]

@@JT-nf9tk Sweet!

[@chrismonroe6691]

Great vid. I’ve never tried the film. Too invested in stones now.

[@analogoutdoors]

Thanks, Chris!

[@VLADI500]

Hi Mike. I have a question for you regarding the use of lapping film. I bought a film that has adhesive on the back side. If I glue it to the glass and I need to change to a different grid I can peel off the old one and how do I store it. Glue it to another surface ? Or have several panes of glass with different films ?

[@analogoutdoors]

I would use different plates. IMHO I'd be wary of adhesive left on the glass that might lay under the new sheet. I get mine here, non adhesive. www.specialized.net/fiber-optic/termination-products/polishing-film-pucks/polishing-film.html

[@trueblu8]

1:04 Progression.

[@knifetothebass1642]

Mike Baker has no more arm hair to test his razors.

[@trueblu8]

😂

[@fulltang3250]

I'm excellent at sharpening knife blade to hair whittling but honing a straight razor is a whole different animal

[@analogoutdoors]

They are two completely different skills. But they can both be learned.

[@totalanthony]

Eeeeeewww! -mike baker 2018

[@analogoutdoors]

Hahaha!