Thread: Should I buy 1 or .5 micron Diamond Spray?

I use films to hone. I have a film that is from Tools for Working Wood that is labeled 1 micron but they say it is around 8000 grit. I have Chromium Oxide from Kremer Pigments that is rated .3 micron. I'm buying a Diamond Spray for finishing. Should I get .5 or 1 micron. Chromium oxide is usually around .5 micron so would .5 Diamond be repetitive?

I don't have any experience with Diamond sprays other then what I've read. They work well but because they are pointy sharp (think of a diamond), they do put a wicked edge on if it's already worked up through the progressions, but it's a bit harsh to some.

I've been using crox for a little while and it puts a nice edge on a shave ready blade but leaves it smooth for me. The crox compound is rounder in shape and leaves the steel smoother.

At least that's my take on it.

I've read that too. I'm just torn between the two sizes. Will Chrox be able to smooth out the edge made by the 1 micron?

Do you use chromium oxide after the one micron lapping paper? On what substrate?
What do you want to change about that edge?

I have experimented quite a bit with diamond and boron nitride sprays on leather strops.
I have given up on 0.5 micron diamond spray, I find it just convexes the bevel without adding much keenness.
I would suggest 0.25 micron diamond spray after the 1 micron lapping paper.

"What do you want to change about that edge?"

I do use Chromium Oxide after the film. My edges feel smooth but not as sharp as I would like. I was hoping that using diamond would make the edge sharper before smoothing it our with the Chrox. Am I thinking of this the wrong way?

Originally Posted by danxaz

"What do you want to change about that edge?"

I do use Chromium Oxide after the film. My edges feel smooth but not as sharp as I would like. I was hoping that using diamond would make the edge sharper before smoothing it our with the Chrox. Am I thinking of this the wrong way?

If you want to add a bit of "sharp" to the edge, 0.25 micron diamond is a good choice. This will introduce a bit of micro-convexity near the apex, but not convex the bevel as would 0.5 micron or larger.

I posted some images in this thread:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...spray-sem.html

Here is another example:
After the Gokumyo 20k, no convexity.


Following 10 laps on each of 0.25 diamond and 0.10 boron nitride, slight micro-convexity.


Slight foil/burr that can be stropped away.