Diamond pastes and soft backing?

[The_Guide]

After much reading around, I have decided I would like to give diamond pastes a try. I am using mostly convex knives so will be applying these pastes to a soft backing. Would the usual leather work fine, or are there other soft materials that I could look at?

How much diamond paste would i need for a 12 x 4 strop? How often does it need to be reapplied?

Thanks
The_Guide

 

[Jason B.]

Leather works fine sometimes you need to prep the leather with something like WD40 so the paste will spread more evenly. Very little paste is needed to cover a strop, for you strop 6 to 8 pin head size dabs should do. Once the leather turns black use a rag and some wd40 to remove then reapply. A 5 gram syringe has lasted me over a year and I sharpen a LOT.

 

[The_Guide]

A 5 gram syringe has lasted me over a year and I sharpen a LOT.

That removes all my apprehension about trying it. Thanks :thumbup:

 

[Jason B.]

For stright edge knives using the diamond paste on MDF works VERY well too.

 

[The_Guide]

For stright edge knives using the diamond paste on MDF works VERY well too.

Applied directly or with a thinning agent?

 

[Jason B.]

directly

 

[photonjunkie]

On a hard backing like MDF do you still use a stropping (trailing edge) motion?

 

[Jason B.]

On a hard backing like MDF do you still use a stropping (trailing edge) motion?

Yes, use it like a leather strop but you must be more percise with your angles.