How many grits/microns to skip for stropping?

[NeedItCheaper]

If I'm bringing my edge from definitely dull to hair popping sharp I use my Naniwa stones; 400, 1000, 3000, 10000 grit. Then strop. Anything inbetween is a waste from my testing. There's a definite formula say 2.5-3X the previous grit rating. For those who go the extra mile (or ten), would going from a 10,000 Snow White to stropping; 4-2-1-0.5 micron makes since or does the general logic not apply as much on stropping. Currently, I'm going from 3-2-1-0.5 microns, but spending a little too much time on the 3 micron strop before I can move to the 2. Just ordered 5 micron paste but worried I should be using a 4.

Also, sometimes my questions are complex and crazy sounding. Feel comfortable saying so if that's how I'm sounding.

 

[AriesTheCam]

You could do either. Not a massive difference in scratch pattern from 5 to 4 microns (at least looking at it through a loupe).

You'd probably be alright just going with the 5 since you ordered it. Personally speaking, I get really good results with 5-3-1-0.5 just like your doing just skipping 2.

I mean, obviously, you'll get the "best" results from going in a stepped progression 5-4-3-2-1-0.5, but in the spirit of saving time I do basically the same thing you're suggesting.

 

[chalby]

The 10000 Naniwa is about 1.5 micron grit size on the grit chart on this sub-forum, so anything above 1 micron would be a waste of time IMO.

I have only used 1 and 0.5 when stropping and to be honest 99% of the time I just strop with 1 micron and call it done. I've seen some people stropping down to 0.025 micron chasing the sharpest edge possible. Check out some of Michael Christie's old youtube videos for an example.