DMT Diamond Paste vs HandAmerican Diamond Spray

[Stark Knives]

What do you guys think would be better for me, the 3-pack of 6, 3, and 1 micron DMT paste, or the 1 or 0.5 micron HandAmerican diamond spray? Do you think that one of the HA sprays could make my 9 micron edge mirror? Or should I get the DMT pastes to achieve mirror status? Is there enough in the syringes to last me a while? Right now my edges are polished, but some scratches are still visible, here is an example. You can't see too many scratches, but in the right light there are quite a few.

Erd

 

[BluntCut MetalWorks]

Neither. More cost effective to buy diamond or cbn slurry from USP. I often polish using 3u->1u->0.5u cbn, stop along the way depend on steel type. btw for most steels Cr2O3 abrasive is a cheaper way to go.

 

[Jason B.]

I would recommend 1micron boron carbide over diamond for carbon steels.

Not knowing the few steps before though its not always easy to guess at what will work.

 

[Stark Knives]

I use a belt sander going with the progression of 400, 600, 15 micron, 9 micron, to leather belt with Bark River CrO. This gives me a hazy mirror-like polish. Do you think that just the 1 micron spray or the 1 micron boron carbide would clear up my edge? Or should I go the DMT route? What do you like better about the BC?

Erd

 

[Stark Knives]

Neither. More cost effective to buy diamond or cbn slurry from USP. I often polish using 3u->1u->0.5u cbn, stop along the way depend on steel type. btw for most steels Cr2O3 abrasive is a cheaper way to go.

What concentration do you get and how much is in 50 grams? Is the stuff a liquid or a paste?

Knifenut, how do you think the slurries from USP would work?

Erd

 

[Jason B.]

Who is USP?

 

[Stark Knives]

Don't want to get in trouble for a link.

Erd

 

[BluntCut MetalWorks]

What concentration do you get and how much is in 50 grams? Is the stuff a liquid or a paste?
Erd

Heavy concentration, look like about 2 grams (10 carats) of diamond/cbn per 50 grams bottle. slurry = liquid (water or oil base). oil base work well on balsa & leather but stink for a week. I bought 100grams/(~ml = ~4 oz) diamond&cbn, heavy, oil base. Got some spray bottles from Bed&Beyond, voi'la cheap spray - remember to shake. I didn't try USP's compounds form.

btw - I got spanked by mod for deal-spoting (on kitchen thread), therefore USP.

 

[Stark Knives]

Thanks! How do you like it? Does it work well?

I'll remove my link.

Erd

 

[BluntCut MetalWorks]

Thanks! How do you like it? Does it work well?

From the sound & finish, I suspect that abrasive size specs fall within acceptable range (Size +- Size*0.75), e.g 1u spec, actual= 0-1.75u.

It cuts alot longer than other suspension stuff (from other vendors), keep going until balsa/leather turn all black. Good results but must be patience because you can round the edge in a single stroke.

 

[Komitadjie]

I've had extremely good luck running a belt on my Kalamazoo loaded with Hand American's 1u Boron Carbide, followed by one loaded with their .5u Chromium Oxide. I'm actually planning to add a couple more belts to my selection, and pick up a ~5u CBN paste from Ken Schwartz, and probably something in the 1u range from him as well, for testing. I have NO doubt his stuff is top notch, both he and Keith are high-grade experts at their jobs, but I'd like to see how CBN differs from the other two in cutting capability. So far I haven't used any diamond stropping compounds aside from the ones for my WEPS, but that seems to be the way to go for REALLY small sizes.

 

[sqchram]

Wow, I went to United States Products Co. Looks like there might be some good prices to be had in diamond and cubic boron nitride...question. What would be the difference between a slurry vs a compound. Compound being more expensive in instances. Its confusing since the micron range of each product between slurry and compound is the same.

 

[BluntCut MetalWorks]

Wow, I went to United States Products Co. Looks like there might be some good prices to be had in diamond and cubic boron nitride...question. What would be the difference between a slurry vs a compound. Compound being more expensive in instances. Its confusing since the micron range of each product between slurry and compound is the same.

Compound=paste (smear), slurry=liquid(smear or spray) - see their technical & faq.

Both should work fine, I bought slurry version, so I easily see how much diamond/cbn abrasive I'm getting & apply as appropriate. In addition to my previous post, I found CBN 1.0u on leather works great for touch-up <= light pressure (or low angle) to avoid rounding the edge. 50ml slurry bottle for abrasive (3u & smaller) will last a long while, unless you plan to use it commercially, then lol go bulk at the source (~$150/4000ml).