Thread: 4 sided strop

So I got ahold of a 4 sided strop (one of tony's). 3 sides pasted, and marked .5 (green), 1 (White),and 3 (Yellow). Some of the paste is rubbed off on all the sides. What pastes are these, I'd like to know so that I can repaste them.

I also have a 2 sided paddle strop I ordered directly from Tony which has .5 marked on one side and is the color yello/white. For future reference what paste is this?

Sory if this has been discussed before I couldn't find it. I realize Tony would know best, but I thought I would ask the public at large to receive the quickest response.

On all of my paddles the small number refers to the grit size. 3 or 3.0 being three micron Amplex Diamond and that paste is yellow tinted. 1 or 1.0 is one micron Amplex Diamond and is an off white color. .5 or 0.5 is 1/2 micron and either Amplex Diamond or Chromium Oxide. Chromium Oxide is green of course and the Amplex is pretty much white. .25 or 0.25 is 1/4 micron Amplex Diamond and is light grey.

I also use, on occasion either Crystalite Diamond Spray or that of my own manufacture. It will darken the leather slightly but leave it either it natural tan or honey brown color for the most part. All, no matter the paste type will be stamped with the grit size if I sold it pasted. If plain leather and un-stamped there is no abrasive applied, if un-stamped and pasted it was done by the owner.

I use either a pale, flesh colored natural leather which will show the true paste colors as mentioned above or a honey brown, yellowish leather which will make all of them look yellow tinted so you need to go by the numbers rather than color.

Hope this explains it.

Take care,
Tony

Thanks Tony!

So I tried using the 3.0 side and the paste began flaking off very quickly. It is also very gummy. What's wrong? Or is that the way it is supposed to work?

Note: I don't want to imply any blame towards tony as I got this through a third party.

Is the 4-sided strop a strop or a hone?

There is probably an excess of paste on that side. Try lightly wetting a finger and rubbing in the paste better to get a very thin smooth surface and let it dry a few days. If not a huge amount of excess the extra will flake off leaving plenty still embedded into the leather. You also need to use a very light presure the first few times as it will be sticky at first.

Tony