Metal polish an edge?

C

crbauhs

Joined
Dec 2, 2007
Messages
2,028
I was thinking today, we all strop our knives. Usually with green or black or white or redish compound. And it helps us out a ton. But would going further help out? Would say a convex edge that has been used with green compound benefit from some kind of metal polish? Wouldn't it theoretically further hone and polish the edge making it great for push cutting and shaving? This is of course theoretical. What do you guys think?
 
The difference is mainly in the grit size/hardness/aggressiveness. Metal polish removes metal like the 'compounds' used for sharpening/stropping, but at a slower, less aggressive rate.

Edited to add:
Many or most of the 'stropping' compounds discussed here (green, black, white) are primarily sold for use with buffing/polishing wheels on bench grinders.
 
Ok so it is like a very very fine abrasive. But it would still make the edge sharper assuming you did it right? Suppose I liken it to diamond spray it would be like that? You know, a step beyond the compounds?
 
crbauhs said:
Ok so it is like a very very fine abrasive. But it would still make the edge sharper assuming you did it right? Suppose I liken it to diamond spray it would be like that? You know, a step beyond the compounds?
Click to expand...

Many dedicated 'metal polishes' are primarily geared toward softer metals (brass, nickel, gold, silver). So, if they're used on hardened steel (like a knife blade), it might have some effect, but it'd likely take a long time to get the same result as you'd otherwise get from the smaller grit 'sharpening' compounds like Chromium Oxide or diamond (which are significantly harder than steel; hence they work faster).
 
Diamond compounds are truly amazing, they work many times faster and produce extremely sharp and refined edges. Thhe question your asking relates to how fine or coarse a polish is and also how pure it is. Most green compound aka chromium oxide of good quality is around .5 microns, the stuff you get at the hardware can be a wide range of grits as high as 3 or 4 microns. Compounds made for sharpening are usually more controlled and thus more expensive. The other nice thing about diamond compounds is you can get them in a wide range of grits even as small as 1/10 micron/ 200,000 mesh. That's about 150,000 grit finer than your green compound.
 
I used some plastx one day when I was out of mothers, love the stuff now, has its own strop. I am not sure of the grit of the abrasive, but man does it polish straight from the grinder. I squirt some on the strop, and rub it in, then dry it with a heat gun.

Same thing for the mothers polish, but stand clear of the fumes what heating it.

Have to snap a pic of my edges tomorrow
 
DaPro said:
I used some plastx one day when I was out of mothers, love the stuff now, has its own strop. I am not sure of the grit of the abrasive, but man does it polish straight from the grinder. I squirt some on the strop, and rub it in, then dry it with a heat gun.

Same thing for the mothers polish, but stand clear of the fumes what heating it.

Have to snap a pic of my edges tomorrow
Click to expand...

Hmmm I'd be very interested in seeing some pics if you don't mind. I think it could be helpful.
 
Forgot about taking pics, took me about 15 minutes to do this new paperstone vantage, bit more strop time for mirror polish, but not far off, hair poppin sharp.

Not the Best at photography, Nikon Coolpix P80 I have yet to read the manual on

DSCN9867.jpg

DSCN9871.jpg
 
Frostyfingers said:
I often use Flitz. I have no idea of the grit, but it works for me, and gives me the edges I want.
Click to expand...

I tried flitz, simichrome, but I like the mothers and plastx liquid polish best. It loads the strop better, heat it, apply, then heat til evaporated.

This says brass, stainless steel, etc. on the back too.

p2708487reg.jpg
 
Wow ok that looks great. I think I'll try Mothers just to see how it does. I am always in pursuit of a sharper edge!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top