Flexcut Gold vs. DLT Compounds

[Brew-Jitsu]

Does anyone know how Flexcut Gold compares to the DLT compounds, i.e., what is Flexcut Gold similar to (black, green, white)...?

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

According to Flexcut's own description, Flexcut Gold is a blend of aluminum oxide and titanium oxide:

( From site -->: http://www.flexcut.com/products/cart.php?target=product&product_id=975&category_id=95 )

"Designed for quickly maintaining a sharp edge, Flexcut Gold Polishing Compound has been specially formulated to apply like a crayon. Its blend of aluminum and titanium oxide provides a balance between aggressive removal of hardened tool steels and offers a high-color polish. "

The 'blend' description would make it difficult to directly compare to other compounds, i.e. 'white' or 'black' or 'green'. Don't know a lot about titanium oxide, but I'm finding a few references describing it as an additive to enhance the toughness of other types of aluminum oxide abrasives. By 'toughness', I assume that means it's ability to resist breaking down (fracturing) during use, into smaller particles, which some aluminum oxide abrasives will do (that property is called 'friability'). The quote below is in reference to utilizing titanium oxide with brown aluminum oxide specifically (maybe this is what's used in the 'Gold' compound, but I don't know).

( From site -->: http://americanmachinist.com/features/all-about-abrasives )

"Brown fused aluminum oxide includes 2 to 4 percent titanium oxide (TiO2) to enhance toughness. (Titanium oxide is also known as titania.) This is the most widely used abrasive, and is used to grind high-tensile-strength materials, and for rough grinding, deburring and snagging, as well as to cut low-alloy, ferrous materials."

(and another quote from the same source...):

"Low titania brown fused aluminum oxide has 1 to 2 percent TiO2 content, and is used in bonded or coated applications that require an abrasive that is slightly tougher than white aluminum oxide. Reducing the titania content reduces the abrasive's toughness, but increases its friability."

I would assume, at the least, that the aluminum oxide might vaguely compare to some (but not all) other 'white' aluminum oxide compounds, which can be very aggressive (larger particles) or high-polishers (smaller particles). But that's hard to pin down, without actually trying it for comparison. Even that segment of 'white' abrasives is a very wide range in itself.

Member HeavyHanded has used it, and described his impressions of it in this thread (links directly to his post in that thread):

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...uot-guided-quot-route?p=11035568#post11035568


David

 

[HeavyHanded]

According to Flexcut's own description, Flexcut Gold is a blend of aluminum oxide and titanium oxide:



The 'blend' description would make it difficult to directly compare to other compounds, i.e. 'white' or 'black' or 'green'. Don't know a lot about titanium oxide, but I'm finding a few references describing it as an additive to enhance the toughness of other types of aluminum oxide abrasives. By 'toughness', I assume that means it's ability to resist breaking down (fracturing) during use, into smaller particles, which some aluminum oxide abrasives will do (that property is called 'friability'). The quote below is in reference to utilizing titanium oxide with brown aluminum oxide specifically (maybe this is what's used in the 'Gold' compound, but I don't know).



I would assume, at the least, that the aluminum oxide might vaguely compare to some (but not all) other 'white' aluminum oxide compounds, which can be very aggressive (larger particles) or high-polishers (smaller particles). But that's hard to pin down, without actually trying it for comparison. Even that segment of 'white' abrasives is a very wide range in itself.

Member HeavyHanded has used it, and described his impressions of it in this thread (links directly to his post in that thread):

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...uot-guided-quot-route?p=11035568#post11035568


David

Man you are good with the search, and even better with the memory!

I've never used the DLT compounds, but Flexcut compares very closely with Ryobi yellow. Its hard for me to judge where different compounds fit in the scale without using them on hardwood in a slurry - this eliminates many of the other variables in my opinion. The Sears and Ryobi white compounds are a touch more refined than the Flexcut as I use them, but not by much. Its pretty fine stuff - with the right backing it'll get close to mirror finish. Its the last compound I'll use if I want any tooth left on the edge.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Man you are good with the search, and even better with the memory!

I've never used the DLT compounds, but Flexcut compares very closely with Ryobi yellow. Its hard for me to judge where different compounds fit in the scale without using them on hardwood in a slurry - this eliminates many of the other variables in my opinion. The Sears and Ryobi white compounds are a touch more refined than the Flexcut as I use them, but not by much. Its pretty fine stuff - with the right backing it'll get close to mirror finish. Its the last compound I'll use if I want any tooth left on the edge.

:thumbup:

Got sort of lucky (maybe, assuming anything I posted is accurate ). The reference to titanium oxide as a toughness-enhancer is something new to me; I'd previously assumed it was just another abrasive in itself. The search was somewhat confusing; there are lots of references to titanium dioxide, mostly used as a pigment in manufacturing, but I couldn't find if that stuff is ever used as an abrasive, or if it would be hard/soft/in between.

(Edited to add: I'm now seeing some references to titanium oxide being used in rock tumbling/polishing, but still don't see any specs as to hardness or particle size.)

I found the reference to your post by searching for 'flexcut' in posts under my username. I remembered the topic coming up in the past. I'd previously found & posted the info from Flexcut's own site, and also knew you'd commented on using it.


David

 

[Bowman1911]

I use flexcult gold all the time. I can get a mirror polish on just about anything with it. I use it on a loaded strop for a pretty fine edge. However, when I'm polishing, I'll use it on cardboard. It's also my main go to for sharpening my woodcutting tools & gouges.

 

[Brew-Jitsu]

Thanks for the input/info. I will just have to strop away and see how they compare. I've been using the Flexcut, which I like, but I am about to try the DLT green and black compounds.

Thanks again!

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Thanks for the input/info. I will just have to strop away and see how they compare. I've been using the Flexcut, which I like, but I am about to try the DLT green and black compounds.

Thanks again!

The more I mess around with different compounds, the more it seems that's the best way to 'know' how they work. Too many variables play into it, not the least of which is the steel type itself (alloy, hardness, abrasion-resistance). The only thing I've seen that comes close to predictability, is if you're using a decreasing-size sequence of compounds of all the same type, and from one manufacturer (such as all diamond paste from DMT). Among aluminum oxide abrasives alone, there's a mesmerizing range of them out there, at different sizes, different hardness, different toughness (how easily they break down), and different particle shape, which affects how aggressively each will cut.


David