Compounds

[dirtyphil]

What do they do? What is each color for, what order are they used, and where on the blade and/or handle are they used? Thanks for the help.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Color is not exact between manufacturers, but:
black is usually an emery compound - coarse
green is chromium oxide - fine
tan/brown is medium
white is medium to fine
pink is extra fine
red is rouge - fine to extra fine