Diamond paste

Nisse · Friday January 25, 2019

Having tested 0,5 grit diamond paste on a hanging leather strop I am happy with the edge, but now I wonder if it would be possible to get an equally good result stropping on 0,5 grit lapping film placed on a flat but softish base? What I am looking for is a sharp and keen edge without sticky paste residue to clean. Maybe the simple solution is less diamond paste on strop? Or let the strop dry for a week?

seveneighth · Saturday January 26, 2019

I always think less is more with diamond paste. When I've used it on leather I have ended up diluting it right down.

Have you tried on a balsa wood strop?

Nisse · Saturday January 26, 2019

I am going to buy 1 m balsa and turn into three strops to test.

Nisse · Saturday January 26, 2019

I will also try to do something about the thick layer of paste on my leather strop, used the flesh side by the way because it was all I had available

seveneighth · Saturday January 26, 2019

Nisse said:
I am going to buy 1 m balsa and turn into three strops to test.

Make sure you:

1) Have a perfectly flat surface to mount it
2) Lap the balsa before applying the diamond paste
3) Apply the paste sparingly. - Think of a DMT or Atoms plate

Nisse said:
I will also try to do something about the thick layer of paste on my leather strop, used the flesh side by the way because it was all I had available

I have an old strop with all kinds of paste worked into it. It works beautifully. I don't necessarily recommend this but that strop has had neatsfoot oils, FerOx, diamond worked in. I have used neatsfoot, Camellia, strop balm. I have also used 2000 grit wet and dry to nap plain leather and suede brushes to restore suede strops.

Nisse · Sunday January 27, 2019

Found a piece of oak - 20x70x270 mm - in the basement, might try adding balsa making a bench strop/handheld strop of sort.

Nisse · Sunday January 27, 2019

Thinking of buying 15 or 20 mm thick balsa, will it warp if not glued to a flat base?

seveneighth · Sunday January 27, 2019

Nisse said:
Thinking of buying 15 or 20 mm thick balsa, will it warp if not glued to a flat base?

I would personally always mount it on something.

Nisse · Monday January 28, 2019

Had a go at the leather strop with some Natusan Baby Oil and a towel, seems to have done the trick getting rid of the excesses both on cromium oxide side and diamond paste side. Will let it sit and dry before actually testing on a straight, but looking good ie pastes worked into strop not buttered on top of it.