Where to buy diamond pastes in the UK?

[loplyg]

Hi folks,
I'm looking to acquire a few grades of diamond paste but I'm struggling to find the right supplier.

I searched the forum but couldn't find a definitive answer.

I see you can buy them off ebay but not in 0.25 grade.

Any suggestions?

Thanks folks,
Richard

[majurey]

I has the same experience -- found some pastes but no idea of grade or quality. In the end I bit the bullet and bought from ClassicShaving.

[loplyg]

Ah I might just order from that site, I didn't know about them but just Googled it.

I presume they do international delivery.

What's the procedure for applying diamond paste to a strop?
Do you have to mix the paste with something? Then apply it with a cloth?

[majurey]

Nope, just use your finger. There are a couple of threads you can search for which describe how to do it. I put a series of dots up and down my strop with the syringe, then just use my finger to smoothe evenly across the surface. You really don't need much at all. Always better to start with too little and supplement incrementally than end up with too much.

If it gets a little thick, you can wet your finger in water and just even the whole thing out easily.

[Steelforge]

Slightly off topic, but what's the best way to remove old/contaminated diamond paste from a strop?

Mine is starting to collect a lot of metal residue, so I assume it's best to rub/scrape this off somehow before applying fresh paste?

Or am I wrong?

[majurey]

Yep, I've come across that too. I don't think it would affect the effectiveness at all. I just wet my finger or a piece of cloth and wipe gently until the grey has gone. That usually ends up cleaning the paste off entirely and then I reapply.

Richard -- one thing I forgot to mention. Let the paste dry opn the strop a couple of days before you try to use it. Otherwise it just comes off in cakes or bits if it hasn't dried properly.