Did you ever find out what Micron Stropman's White compound is? I've heard it can be anywhere from 1-10 microns. I hope not that vague and more along the lines of the above posters mention of 1-3 microns.
Anyone have more info on this? No info on Stropman's sight as to what micron/grit his white compound is. I was going to strop with white compound after using my spyderco ultra fine rod, which is 3 microns I believe. Now if white is in fact 1-3 microns I'm good to go, but if its 1-10 ill have to pass.
Particle size alone doesn't necessarily determine which will leave a 'finer' finish. Even at 10 microns, some 'white' compounds may not be anywhere near as aggressive as others at a smaller size, due to differences in hardness or particle shape. Some 'white' compounds are made as 'rouge' for jewelers (gold, silver, other soft metals), and those compounds will likely also be softer themselves (talc, tin oxide are a couple of 'white' compounds which are very soft).
I often use Simichrome polishing paste as a stropping compound, which uses pink aluminum oxide abrasive. It's particle size, as stated by the manufacturer, is in the neighborhood of ~9 microns or so, but it leaves a more highly polished finish than something like diamond at 6, or perhaps even 3 microns. That's just due to differences in hardness and shape of the particles.
Best way to see how each compares, is to try them. Don't have to put them on your 'good' strop to do this. Try them side-by-side on clean paper or identical pieces of something else (fabric, scrap leather, etc.). Take the time to strop your blade with each, and see how each performs. Try both on other steels as well; the abrasion resistance, alloy and hardness will all be factors in determining how a compound performs on a given steel. For example, green compound works GREAT on simpler steels like 1095 and some low/mid-range stainless like 420HC, 440A. But, the same green compound may be a disappointment on more wear-resistant steels like S30V.
(Edited to add: )
Some compounds are also 'friable', which means they start out at a given spec'd size, but break down to smaller particles with use (silicon carbide is known for this). So, effectively, they'll get around to producing a finer finish, even if they cut more aggressively at the start. Some aluminum oxide compounds fit in this category as well.
David
