Recommendation? Online source for Diamond or CBN stropping compound?

L

lerner

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Sep 1, 2008
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Which do I want, Diamond or CBN, for D2 steel? And where can I get it?

For stropping with the guided Lansky leather "hone", after the Lansky 2000-grit super-saphire ceramic.
Is it available as a paste? I'm supposing a spray would waste alot in overspray. Or should I get a "film"?
What grit/micron size should I get?
 
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I've used DMT's Dia-Paste at 3 micron & 1 micron, for D2. Search for that; it's readily available. I've liked the results best when the compound is used on a strop of firm wood. I've used basswood for it, but anything with smooth & tight grain will work well.

The 3-micron paste on wood will bring up a mirror shine very fast on most any steel, if it follows honing on a diamond progression up through EF (1200) at least. More often than not, I've been content to stop at the 3-micron, not feeling a need for anything finer on steels like D2 or S30V, for example.
 
lerner said:
Is there any reason I would want CBN instead of diamond compound (for D2)?
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I haven't used CBN yet. It's clearly hard enough to get the job done, with it's hardness at > 2X that of the chromium carbide content in the steel, and still significantly harder than the small bit of vanadium carbide in D2. I don't think it's necessary for D2, but there's never any harm in experimenting with other options. Sometimes, other attributes of the abrasive grains, like their shape, can give a different character to finished results, which might have you preferring one over another. Differences like this can even be noticed between diamond compounds from different producers (same applies to various versions of aluminum oxide and SiC). Hardness will be the main factor in making a compound capable for the job.
 
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lerner said:
Is there any reason I would want CBN instead of diamond compound (for D2)?
Click to expand...
I believe cbn holds up better at higher temps, such as on a powered belt strop, or certainly on a large industial scale.
There are many brands, and widely varying prices and qualities.
Dave has given a great recommendation, the dmt is widely available, and it works.
 
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