Thread: Diagnois: diamond paste - leather hone

As Lynn demonstrates on his video I've applied 0.5 micron (mono-crystal) diamond paste to a HandAmerican full grain horse leather bench hone (new magnetic version). After drying the leather 48 hours @ 90 deg F, the draw with a Dovo Black star is EXTREME... not a dry raspy feel - but more of a thick grease feel. The compound is scraped off onto the edge and spine and slides in a jerky, sticky way across the hone. Using no pressure, then tried with light, then medium pressure - all the same results. Touching the hone feels slightly heavy and very slightly greasy - not dry, dusty, or light. Edge is polished under the microscope. The paste is supposedly water-based and is via Ted Pella ( http://www.tedpella.com/polish.htm ). I'm using the diamond paste after honing on the 4/8k Norton. I've tried thick coats, thin coats, pressure/compression during drying, finger application, and squeege application - all to no avail.

Is this normal for diamond paste on a leather bench hone?

Should it not produce a dry raspy sound with a light to medium draw?

Did they send me oil-based paste instead of water-based?

Anyone buy diamond compound from Ted Pella recently?

-Thanks fellas.

I do not use diamond paste. I use Chromium Oxide, and Boron Carbide pastes on my Hand American bench hone leather pads, but the concept is the same. No, it will not be a dry raspy feel of a plain ole leather strop, but it does sound like you have too much paste on your leather. You only need about 3 to 4 pea size drops smeared evenly over the surface of the leather magnetic pad. Then let it dry for minimum of 8 hours before attempting to use it. It will have a lot of drag, and still feel slightly greasy. The feel of it will get dryer and smoother the more you use it. Just use light pressure. I have had my bench hone for over 2 years now, and I have only applied the paste one time so far, and I have finished/refreshed well over a dozen razors.

If the problem is a oil based paste or to thick of an application the solution is the same. Get some GOOP non abrasive hand cleaner , apply it to the strop, rub it around then wipe off with a paper towel. Let dry and try again. Repeat if necessary.

Hope this helps,

OK - I'll keep trying.

Thanks fellas.