Stropping D2, which compound?

L

LIBRT

Joined
Aug 26, 2007
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6
Title says it.

With my other knives, I really enjoy stropping them, I can tell the difference.

But I suppose using jewelers red rouge compound on my new Military D2 is not going to do much... :p

Currently I have Emeril, Tripoli, and Jewelers compound (black, brown, red). I'm thinking Emeril would do it, but it might be courser than I need. Anyone have any advice?
 
On Thom Brogan's expert advice I use 3M lapping films on glass for stropping and it has worked on every steel I have tried. My CPM D2 Military loves it, as well as every other knife I've used it on (regular D2, ZDP 189, S30V, VG-10, AO Super Steel, ect.). I would guess that a diamond paste would work on most any steel on a strop. I roll edges on leather, so I stick to the lapping film on glass these days with excellent results.

Mike
 
Green (Chromium Oxide) would be my first choice. It may be labeled as "chrome" or "stainless" rouge, but it's usually the same stuff. My next choice would be white compound.

I don't know about using Emeril for stropping. I'd suggest kicking it up a notch.
 
Take your pick (u = microns):
Hand American sells pastes in 6u and 2u silicon carbide, 1.8u boron carbide, and 1/2u chromium oxide.
You can also get diamond paste down to 1/4u from MTI, as well as elsewhere.

Diamond is the hardest stuff on the planet, so it's more than a match for any steel. Chromium oxide (the green stuff) cuts somewhat slowly on the harder steels, and I've had terrible luck with the green wax sticks ... they're really made for felt buffing wheels. Jeweler's red rouge is probably too soft, and I can't speak for the white stuff.

Good luck!
 
I've had my best luck with diamond paste on D-2 and S30V. The CrO will work, but takes forever.

(I finally broke down and bought a blade of S30V. :D It has caused me to reconsider my disdain for all things stainless! :) )

Ben
 
DrThunder88 said:
Green (Chromium Oxide) would be my first choice. It may be labeled as "chrome" or "stainless" rouge, but it's usually the same stuff. My next choice would be white compound.

I don't know about using Emeril for stropping. I'd suggest kicking it up a notch.
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I second these choices. :thumbup:

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
gunmike1 said:
On Thom Brogan's expert advice I use 3M lapping films on glass for stropping and it has worked on every steel I have tried. My CPM D2 Military loves it, as well as every other knife I've used it on (regular D2, ZDP 189, S30V, VG-10, AO Super Steel, ect.). I would guess that a diamond paste would work on most any steel on a strop. I roll edges on leather, so I stick to the lapping film on glass these days with excellent results.


Mike
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Where's a good source for this? Thanks!
 
Thanks for the advice everyone!

As I am visiting a Woodcraft store tomorrow, I think I'll try the green chromium oxide, and see how that goes...

By the way, I gave my Military D2 a bit of a workout today, for testing: chopped some wood, carved some wood, cut bunches of cardboard. As far as I can tell, there is no edge damage. It just seems to slice paper with a bit more effort than the original factory edge. In other words, it just seems to need a good stropping. ;)
 
I don't strop my D2 or S30V (yes Ben....I have high regard for the S30V!!). Unlike most guys here, I have a hard time getting my D2 as sharp as I want it. The S30V I can get razor sharp, but I still don;t strop it.

The red is too soft (fine) for blade steel, I think. I like the green. The black is one step more coarse than green I believe. Somebody, just the other day, posted a chart in another thread showing how each color generally stacks up.
 
I use a paper wheel for polishing the edge, and almost any polishing compound works fine. For me, too much work on leather ends up rounding the edge, that's why I use a wheel.
I've seen advice on using some flat wood and compound as a strop--less rounding than a leather strop and the compound should stick to the wood better than glass.
Greg
 
StretchNM said:
I don't strop my D2 or S30V (yes Ben....I have high regard for the S30V!!). Unlike most guys here, I have a hard time getting my D2 as sharp as I want it. The S30V I can get razor sharp, but I still don;t strop it.
.
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I have a hard time sharpening BOTH D-2 and S30V.

But that's due primarily to my lack of patience rather than any fault of the steel! :D:D
 
StretchNM said:
The red is too soft (fine) for blade steel, I think. I like the green. The black is one step more coarse than green I believe. Somebody, just the other day, posted a chart in another thread showing how each color generally stacks up.
Click to expand...

Here it is. I seem to remember three topics on stropping on page one that day.
 
That's the one. Thanks :D

If I'm not mistaken, Bark River recommends (or at least suggests) black followed by green when stropping. DLTtradingcompany sells a stropping kit with black and green. It makes sense looking at the chart.
 
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