Super fine stropping compound?

W

william8284

Joined
Apr 30, 2010
Messages
100
I just started convexing on a couple select knives that I wanted to try a different edge type. I went from 80 grit for reprofileing down to 12000 grit. I was wondering if I will get any benifit from using a compound on a strop? Most of the compound I have seen are almost the same micron size as the 12000 grit sandpaper, as far I know it should be around .50 to .60 micron. I am not positive on these fiqures however. Are there any finer compound? Should I just go to bare leather after the :confused:12000 grit?
 
I'm not sure, but use some jewelers rouge on a leather strop or just a bare, really high-quality leather and you can get some excellent results.
 
For control of "grit" size its hard to compare to diamond compounds. They are very consistent is finish and have a grit range that about takes your breath away. Down to 1/10 micron, that's 200,000 mesh/grit.

If you can still see a scratch pattern in your finish then even a 1-3 micron compound would refine it further.
 
Chromium Oxide is MUCH finer than 12000 grit. The better grades going up to 30,000-60,000 grit. And that's still much large than the silicates found in good quality veg tanned leather. Horsehide's silicates range down through .05-.005 micron.


Stitchawl
 
I use Mother's Mag aluminum polish on my strop (available at auto stores). Not sure what the numeric grit would be, but it's MUCH less abrasive than Simichrome. Like many metal polishes it has some ammonia in it, so it removes oxidation independent of grit size.
 
Sounds like I should get on the phone. I am trying to get the most out of each sharpening system. I have always used a belt. That was all I had and it works. I am going to order a proper stop today I hope. Thanks guys any recomendations for a good strop. I willl get some different compounds and see what happens
 
If you're using compound, there is no reason to get a 'good' strop. Anything flat, smooth, and hard will do fine. It's the compound doing the work, not the silicates in the leather, which would be the reason for getting a 'good' strop. They aren't big enough to rise above a layer of compound.

Use a 'good' strop (i.e. made from cordovan horsehide) as the very LAST stropping tool. It works.


Stitchawl
 
Thanks to mr2blue I have a couple sets of walnut strops on the way. I am ab out to order the compounds I will get some standard black/green for finishing off of waterstones,. I am still looking in to the diamond paster or .50 or less micron compounds for convex edges. Is it conterproductive to put say 2 coumpound on one large strop.?Is that just asking for contamination? I have seen several posted that way on here. Is there a big risk in doing so? Sorry for all the questions I want to get the best set up I can with the least problems. Thanks
 
You can always go from lighter to heavier compounds. If you apply a lighter compound to a heavier one it's a waste. One strop, or one side of a two sided stop, with a coarser compound and the other with a finer compound.

Or, two strops one coarse and one finer. I wouldn't mix two compounds on a single side if that's what you're asking. :)
 
contamination is a factor and the risk is higher when you're pasting two sides of a hanging strop with different compounds.

The compounds will be mostly on the surface level of the leather. Contamination will probably be from going from one compound to the next via the knife itself, which will have small pieces of the abrasive embedded in the wax/oil of the compound stick to the edge. It will get smeared on the strop you are going to.

It's only bad when going from a larger abrasive to a smaller abrasive, since you're going to progressively finer compounds.

I'm not sure how big that effect is, probably not very, but better just avoid it to be sure.
 
Thanks for the help guys I am going to call HA on monday. I will get some chronium oxcide and diamond spray from them. I will also order the black and green compound if they have it.
 
Just go all diamond, trust me you will be happy you did.
 
knifenut1013 said:
Just go all diamond, trust me you will be happy you did.[/QUOTE

I think that I would be a idiot not to trust you are one of the top if not the top sharpening guru here. Ok which ones would you advise my smoothest stone is a 8000 grit waterstone for v egdes? Also I am curently convexing a couiple at 12000 grit max? I was looking at 1,.5,.25 micron. Would that be good or should I get higher grit as well? I was looking at getting the HA spray. Or these the type you would recomend? Thanks
Click to expand...
 
I went all diamond, sharpening plates and HA spray, a few months ago after trying everything else.

I now know it's true, when it comes to knives and women, diamonds are a man's best friend.
 
Yeah saw that and called and left a message and emailed to see if orders would fulfilled and got no reply. :(
 
cziv said:
Yeah saw that and called and left a message and emailed to see if orders would fulfilled and got no reply. :(
Click to expand...

I've occasionally seen posts here on BF, that a few folks (not all) have been a little frustrated at times in trying to order from HA, due to perceived slow turnaround. I think the guy's got a pretty decent reputation overall, based upon MOST of what I've read here. It may just be a matter of being a little bit patient, hopefully he'll come thru for you. I'm guessing others here will chime in with their experiences with HA orders. I'm curious about this myself. Been tempted to get some of their diamond spray, but haven't pulled the trigger on it yet.

Good luck. :thumbup:
 
I spoke to him about 6 weeks ago and he told me the site would be up in about a week - right. He's a very cool guy and we talked stropping and compounds. He was telling me that all I need after a good stropping with the green dope, was a nice hard mounted leather strop. I imagine like Mr2Blues sells for e.g.

Then he jumped over to telling me he's going to have "kits" with pastes and balsa, felt squares and spray...ad infinitum. All I want is a 4 oz of 1 and .5 micron for my two new strops. I can get the DMT 3 micron about anywhere and use a flat surface. My knives are very sharp right now - so I can wait. :)
 
I called a few times till I got him on the phone. I told him what I wanted and he took my order over the phone and then had me pay via email. He shipped the spray the next day.
 
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