I am currently eyeing this https://www.chefknivestogo.com/3x8stropset4pc.html setup and it comes with 1 Micron Diamond Paste. Is 1 Micron Diamond Paste a good size to have? What would one expect from this, just a polished edge or a keen sharp edge? I am new at the use of diamond paste and not sure what I can expect from this new endeavor. The super steels I currently have are CPM - M4, M390, s35vn, s110v.
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New to Diamond Paste...
- Thread starter Rhodies
- Start date
I can recommend the CKTG 'Richmond' stropping base that you're looking at, I have one along with their synthetic linen glass-backed strop, and a plain leather strop, both backed by magnets that mount to the base. This is a nice, well thought-out system, I like mine and use regularly along with my homemade wood block strops. I used both, because the Richmond one offers some nice features and is convenient, but I don't really 'need' it either. It's probably overkill for a lot of folks, and you can get equal stropping results from skillful use of a homemade strop using a plain wood block, or a wood block with denim attached (@Obsessed with Edges has some previous posts in the maintenance forum on how to easily setup a block with denim, if you're interested).
I can't speak to their diamond paste they use, haven't tried it. But in general, the 1 micron size is a useful all-purpose stropping size that many folks here including me, use and recommend. Recently as in my thread on maintaining super steels, I've also been experimenting with a 4 micron Bark River CBN compound, I like the added aggression of that compound as a refining step in sharpening. But for general all around use as a final strop/polish step, 1 micron is good and a size that you'd want to have.
One small annoyance I've had with the Richmond steel base of their strop: it's too low, doesn't give adequate knuckle clearance if you just set it directly on your work surface. What I have to do with mine is set it on something to elevate it an inch or two. I use one of my plastic DMT plate holders, which it fits on perfectly and gives it enough height to work.
I can't speak to their diamond paste they use, haven't tried it. But in general, the 1 micron size is a useful all-purpose stropping size that many folks here including me, use and recommend. Recently as in my thread on maintaining super steels, I've also been experimenting with a 4 micron Bark River CBN compound, I like the added aggression of that compound as a refining step in sharpening. But for general all around use as a final strop/polish step, 1 micron is good and a size that you'd want to have.
One small annoyance I've had with the Richmond steel base of their strop: it's too low, doesn't give adequate knuckle clearance if you just set it directly on your work surface. What I have to do with mine is set it on something to elevate it an inch or two. I use one of my plastic DMT plate holders, which it fits on perfectly and gives it enough height to work.
Yes I've gotten good results with the 1 micron size as an all-purpose stropping/polishing compound, basically the last step in your sharpening process. Some sharpening pros here on the forum use that size and I think you won't go wrong using it. The 1 micron size assumes that you've done a good job profiling and apexing your edge previously, think of it as a final, optional polishing step to enhance cutting performance.
Wowbagger
Gold Member
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You might want to adopt my MO which I find to be the most pleasing and gives the most satisfying results as far as low mess, low frustration, least time to get a sharp edge and the very best in edge geometry :
- Put the diamond paste, with the strop(s) in a drawer and forget about them.
- Once a year take them out, attempt to put some of the paste on a strop. Since pressing the plunger to get some of the paste out is a hopeless rookie mistake and an utterly futile endeavor pull the plunger out and dig around in the syringe with a tooth pick or bit of wire. This won't work of course but is a good warm up for your muscles for the real assault that comes later. Once warmed up and feeling loose . . . drip some mineral oil into the syringe and stir it around.
- Dig out some of the glop and smear it on the strop.
- Look at it and laugh wondering why you go through this ritual ever year.
- DO NOT attempt to spread the blob evenly over the surface of the strop. This is a physical impossibility and will only lead to thoughts of inadequacy and suicidal tendency.
- Open the drawer scoop syringes and strops and oil bottle up and put them in three plastic bags one inside the other.
- Close drawer.
Take out nice diamond fine grit sharpening stone (I like 8,000) and put the final finish on the edge that you intended to use the strop for.
Whittle hairs while sipping favorite beverage.
Done
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Better yet; get quality diamond powder from 1 of many sources, place an appropriate amount in a small jar lid, mix 3-5 drops of dishwashing soap in, add small amount water, stir. Take finger and spread on strop. Place lid in drawer when done and let dry out till adding some water for next time. Cheap and works great.
I have a good source and in powders down to .1 micron. Been doing it this way for years.
I have a good source and in powders down to .1 micron. Been doing it this way for years.
Wowbagger
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2015
- Messages
- 7,891
Don't sneeze
or
drop it.
My gosh . . . how long does that take over a good sized strop like this. ?
And the water is going to make that maple slab lumpy . . .
Dab, dab, dab ?
Why ? What does this buy a person over using a stone ? A stone that comes ready to go and is easy to clean ?
I've just NEVER "got it". Now if I were polishing semi precious stones with a power buffer; roundy surfaces and all like that . . .
which by the way is the last thing I want to happen to my edge . . . that it gets rounded over.
. . .
where's that little face we used to have with the question marks ? Wasn't there one with little question marks in the old software ?
I think there was. Wasn't there ?
???
???
annr
Basic Member
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2006
- Messages
- 9,781
My only difference is trying them once every 7—10 years, then never. They look really great attached to my filing cabinet.You might want to adopt my MO which I find to be the most pleasing and gives the most satisfying results as far as low mess, low frustration, least time to get a sharp edge and the very best in edge geometry :
- Put the diamond paste, with the strop(s) in a drawer and forget about them.
- Once a year take them out, attempt to put some of the paste on a strop. Since pressing the plunger to get some of the paste out is a hopeless rookie mistake and an utterly futile endeavor pull the plunger out and dig around in the syringe with a tooth pick or bit of wire. This won't work of course but is a good warm up for your muscles for the real assault that comes later. Once warmed up and feeling loose . . . drip some mineral oil into the syringe and stir it around.
- Dig out some of the glop and smear it on the strop.
- Look at it and laugh wondering why you go through this ritual ever year.
- DO NOT attempt to spread the blob evenly over the surface of the strop. This is a physical impossibility and will only lead to thoughts of inadequacy and suicidal tendency.
- Open the drawer scoop syringes and strops and oil bottle up and put them in three plastic bags one inside the other.
- Close drawer.
Take out nice diamond fine grit sharpening stone (I like 8,000) and put the final finish on the edge that you intended to use the strop for.
Whittle hairs while sipping favorite beverage.
Done
View attachment 868764
BellaBlades
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2013
- Messages
- 6,158
Just added some 1 micron to a smooth leather strop I customized and boy. Best edge I've ever had. I will never go back to rouge unless it's on my buffing wheel.
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