buffing compound vs stropping compound

H

Hesparus

Joined
Oct 31, 2004
Messages
1,442
Hi Everyone,

I want to start stropping my knives by hand. Is there a difference between buffing compound and stropping compound?
Thanks,
Chris
 
Buffing compound usually has lower abrasive density and higher stickiness than stropping compound. You can thin out buffing compound with mineral oil but it would be better off using a compound formulated for stropping. Higher quality stropping compound provides tighter abrasive size tolerance - i.e. scratch pattern consistency.
 
I have some "smurf poo" stropping compound. It is supposedly the best for its purpose
 
The best ( IMHO) stropping compound is called "Picasso Blue". It is used as a polish for platinum. A small 3X1" lump of it costs about $10-30. The difference in the price is the amount of the actual abrasive compared to the amount of carrier, as well as the quality control of the grit size. Getting the higher priced stick will almost always be a better buy, as it will last longer and work better. It has been given all sorts of funny names. "Smurf poo" is a good one.

The abrasive in it is a very fine aluminum oxide and proprietary finely powdered ceramics, with some oils and fats as well as a mild organic acid as the carrier. This combination allows for very efficient smoothing of hard and tough metals, leaving a high polish.

Other good stropping compounds are carrot rouge and yellow rouge. Red rouge ( red iron oxide) works well, too. If using red rouge, get pure finer screen powder, not the softer buffing compound sticks which usually have coarser grit in them.

The red oxide powder makes a great stropping compound, and is used in polishing and sharpening swords. It is fine grade red rouge or chromium oxide mixed with a little olive or clove oil. Use the highest grade powder you can get and mix in the oil until you have a thin paste ( not too thick - not too thin). This has been used by women for millennia and just called "rouge".
Put in a shallow and wide jar ( like the ones caviar or minced garlic come in) and apply a small amount to the strop ( or blade if doing togi) with a fingertip.
 
Stacy,

What about the Green Chrome rouge that we often see recommended for stropping? Is that worthwhile? If so, what would be the sequence when used with the others you mentioned? How high a grit do you go when sharpening before you move to polishing stones and/or strops?
 
Sharpen to the edge you want first. That may be 1000 grit or 14,000. Some take it to 100,000 diamond grit, but that is excess. Once sharpened, strop gently just a few strokes to polish the edge and remove any wire. Green chrome, red rouge, blue/yellow/orange....all will work well for a strop.

DO NOT POWER STROP a blade if you want your sharp edge to last. The heat build up can severely lower the hardness of the actual edge. It won't feel hot, and will look OK, but the edge life may be greatly reduced. Just a few strops on a charged leather strip mounted on a board is all you need.

NOTE:
Keep the strop wrapped up or in a plastic sleeve - grit and dust from the shop can contaminate it easily if not protected.
 
I found this stuff in my garage and it seems to work OK. What would it be called and how would it compare to the compounds already mentioned?

I've been using a DMT aligner to reprofile my edges. I cut a piece of thin balsa wood about the same size as one of the DMT stones, glued a piece of smooth leather to it, put the compound on it. I put it in the DMT guide and use it just like one of the stones. It quickly puts on a near-polished edge.

photo720b_zpsbf68e207.jpg
 
I want some smurf poo. Where does one obtain it? What micron is the aluminum oxide/ ceramic screen of this magic blue compound? Thank you.

Edit: sorry. Easy google search. Now I have to ask. Where can I find quality Picasso blue?
 
I have had good experience with the diamond sprays. But my quick everyday strop is balsa wood with mothers mag on it. Works great, simple, puts a mirror edge, and is cheap.
 
sorry for the highjack but Christodart, where do you spray the diamond on and what is mothers mag?
 
I spray it both on leather strops and on sanded balsa wood. I have nice leather strops but like balsa wood better. Mothers mag can be found at wallyworld in the car section. It's an aluminum polish but works amazingly for cleaning blades as well as stropping.
 
Which of these types would work best for polishing/sharpening?

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Dialux Blue
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Dialux Red
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Dialux White Universal
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Dialux Green
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Dialux Yellow
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HyFin
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Diamantine
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Polishing Paste
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Bergeon Polishing Paste
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