- Joined
- Jun 20, 2006
- Messages
- 456
Strontium aluminate is around 85 on the mohs scale, I am considering using it as a stropping compound to sharpen knives. Why? Novelty factor. Decently hard. Cheaper than CBN or diamond paste.
But the real reason is that using a very bright glow powder would be really easy to see what kind of scratch pattern you're getting and it might reveal other edge issues or at least give you an idea of what your stropping is hitting- high spots on the edge for example.
Before the toxicity issues comes up, this is some of the same stuff put into Halloween glow makeup and while I wouldn't butter my bread with it, you'd be able to see when it's all washed off.
I contacted a manufacturer to verify how hard the crystals are and I also checked into the geometry of the crystals a bit and they seem to have a lot of facets which is -from my novice understanding- a good thing.
Has anyone ever tried using this stuff before? There isn't much utilitarian value beyond what I've mentioned, but I'm sure we could imagine some scenario beyond what I have mentioned where a glowing edge might be useful- trailblazing when tracking a downed deer, and of course alerting you to the presence of nearby orcs on your way to Mt. Doom for starters.
But the real reason is that using a very bright glow powder would be really easy to see what kind of scratch pattern you're getting and it might reveal other edge issues or at least give you an idea of what your stropping is hitting- high spots on the edge for example.
Before the toxicity issues comes up, this is some of the same stuff put into Halloween glow makeup and while I wouldn't butter my bread with it, you'd be able to see when it's all washed off.
I contacted a manufacturer to verify how hard the crystals are and I also checked into the geometry of the crystals a bit and they seem to have a lot of facets which is -from my novice understanding- a good thing.
Has anyone ever tried using this stuff before? There isn't much utilitarian value beyond what I've mentioned, but I'm sure we could imagine some scenario beyond what I have mentioned where a glowing edge might be useful- trailblazing when tracking a downed deer, and of course alerting you to the presence of nearby orcs on your way to Mt. Doom for starters.