Information on Polishing Compounds

[Bob Onysko]

I'm just learning about knife and tool sharpening and need to learn more about stick polishing compounds, i.e. color vs. grit, and whatever else I should know. Where on this forum should I ask this question? Thank you.

 

[Seedy Lot]

Green. Follow finishing stone with light edge trailing strokes on your strop, many different materials can be used but leather is easy and forgiving. Faint stropping crisper edge, the more you strop the more you convex edge on the micro side. All is good, a slicey edge cuts.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Colors and abrasive type vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Roughly:
black is the coarsest, usually emery abrasive
grey is medium - usually a silicon carbide abrasive
green chrome is a good general polish
red rouge for finer polish - messy to use and it stains everything it touches
white and pink compounds for final polish - also best for buffing handles