Thread: Diamond Paste on Balsa

I use a simple balsa strip w/ CrO & like it, but I'm wondering if the same thing would work for diamond paste, specifically the spray available from SRD. Anyone tried this & if so, what were your results?

I am not sure if you have hones or not but the balsa paddle will stave off you having to use the hones for a while. I think I would use the 1.0 diamond instead of the .5 because the .5 diamond is the same micron size as the CrO. The diamond spray works good but you have to shake it up before use.

bj

Quite a few of the guys here use the Balsa strips with just about every paste you can think of...

One thing to keep in mind though is that using paste on Balsa is a little harsher than using the pastes on Leather or Felt strops... So the old adage that you see on here all the time, really comes into play "Less is More"

I always do a little after I get off the coticule. I'm thinking about a DIY job on a leather paddle strop, but that's for later.

At the risk of doing this:where is the best place you guys have found for 0.25m diamond paste and have you found it to work better after CrO or diamond?

Before I acquired the Shapton 30K glass hone-I would use .5micron diamond paste on a balsa paddle strop to finish my edges prior to stropping and shaving.

GSSIXGUN'S advice should be strongly heeded- LESS is MORE, a VERY light application goes a long way.

I also use CrOx on a balsa paddle. My results have very good, in fact I no longer use any pasted hanging strops.

ive been using a pasted balsa paddle strop i made about 3 yrs ago. it is pasted with diamond 1.0 on one side and .05 on the other, i use it after honing on n 4000/8000 and i get great results , ill use it again when the blade seems to be getting a little "OFF" the its back to clean shaves agian, i can stay of the hone for quite a while with this routine, once i had .25 on one side of the paddle by i was told by Tony Miller that i might as well wave the razor in the air to strop it, it would do as much as the .25. to each his own i guess, by the way i have an extra oak balsa paddle strop unused that is 2 9/16x11 7/8 with a nice handle, if anyone is interested, just make me an "Offer i cant refuse" youll have to apply you own paste, unless you want me to prepaste with diamond 1.0 .05.
Take care of your loved ones men they deserve it,
Grottolord

I've used balsa with chrome ox/honing oil mixture for a year or so and will always have that combo in my arsenal. I have used both the 1 mic and the .5 mic diamond sprays from SRD (the 6 carat rather than the new 12). A little does go a long way.

I'll offer a counter view from what BJ said in regard to diamond grit size; I've found that there's a huge difference (relatively speaking) between .5 diamond and .5 chrome ox. I think they compliment each other quite well actually. Diamond cuts way more aggressively than chrome ox. Particle size is only one part of the equation. I actually would not go from 1 mic diamond directly to chrome ox.

I also have 3 micron DMT diamond paste (DMT also rates the D8EE 8000 grit diamond plate as 3 micron). That paste leaves a scratch pattern like a 2000-4000 grit stone!

Chris L

Diamond Paste at MTI Corporation. Telephone: 001-888-525-3070. 10grams $12.95 1-888-525-3070 A Good Deal. Robert