The Power of Forgiveness: How I Came to Love Denim Strops

[Orion's Belt]

I think I may try it. I was going to order some 3 micron spray anyhow.

 

[HeavyHanded]

I can relate.

At times, I've incorrectly referenced my White as being 1-3µ, before going back and double-checking the marking on the tube. I've liked this compound, because it seems to come very close to a polish afforded by something smaller/finer, but still retains some wonderful crisp 'bite' I'd ordinarily expect from something slightly coarser.


David

David, took a little doing but managed a couple of pics capable of having a scale applied. There are a few that might clock in at just above 1u, nothing in the 2u range. Most are between 1 and .5, and pretty tightly sized compared to some other compounds. In use I find it to be mighty fine, very close to my CrO. This at 400x, some of those specs are undoubtedly random debris, but can make out the AlumOx with a bit of starring. My block could very easily be different composition from your stick, it had no specific range indicated on the packaging. Scale upper left is just under 4u - there's nothing even close to be found.

 

[AFAustin]

Martin,

Thanks for posting that. Which Ryobi compound is that, and is it still available?

From what David said, and from a quick check of Ryobi's website, it looks like the "Ryobi White Rouge" he's had good luck with is no longer available.

Andrew

 

[HeavyHanded]

Martin,

Thanks for posting that. Which Ryobi compound is that, and is it still available?

From what David said, and from a quick check of Ryobi's website, it looks like the "Ryobi White Rouge" he's had good luck with is no longer available.

Andrew

This is what mine looked like when new.

The yellow is not appropriate more from a handling standpoint. Picked it up at Home Depot a year or two ago.

My favorite commercial compounds are Dico for their black emery, Flexcut for their yellow (white), and Formax for their green CrO. I could break down some of the CrO as well, is a very fine particle in a very tight distribution size. Have read some folks on a straight razor forum discussing how it is a much larger particle size, but I have no idea where that's coming from. Have taken a look at my block before and its mighty consistent - particle sizes are smaller than the Ryobi white and a touch more consistent - hard to imagine it getting much better. The pic says 20oz, the normal size is a bit smaller....

 

[Cereal_killer]

I will be making a denim strope or two today cause of this thread, I got some left over 5-gal stir sticks and found a pair of old jeans last night.

 

[AFAustin]

Martin, thanks for the info. and pics of the compounds.

Ck, let us know how they work for you.

Andrew

 

[Cereal_killer]

Just wanted to show my Sebenza's freshly stopped edge. I recently reprofed to 18DPS freehand and stropped on leather so it was already extremely sharp but today I made a 2 layer denim strop and used white compound followed by 1 micron diamond paste. In soon as I get 2 more 5-gal stir sticks I'm gonna make a single layer denim one and use the paste on that one so it doesn't soak in as much.





And my two strops, total investment (other than compounds) $6 (for the glue & contact cement).