Thread: Balsa strops and diamond compounds

I was recently warned that I should not apply a finer diamond spray/paste than 0.25 microns to a balsa strop, as its molecular structure is larger than .25 microns.

To me this sounded a bit weird. Balsa is not really an abrasive, I read stories of people using balsa strops with diamond sprays almost as if they were stones. And the grits progressions of the people shaving with a Master Wue cleaver definitely involved balsa strops with 0.125 diamond compounds.

What do you think of this?

I use CBN down to 0.125 on balsa with no problems, so I'd say it's BS for sure.

What makes such a strop work is that the diamond particles embed themselves into the surface of the strop material. Thus making a makeshift diamond hone. We engravers use this same technology to polish the faces of our gravers. We tend to use materials like cast iron and or some sort of ceramic as a base rather than balsa but he concept is the same.

I assume what is meant by the molecular structure of the balsa being smaller than .25 microns is that the space between the wood fibers is larger than that and the particles will fall down between them. I theory this may be true but in practice it should not matter because some particles may very well fall between the fibers but just as many particles will embed on the surface of each fiber where they can still do their work.

From my perspective, a lot of this stuff gets very theoretical with all kinds of debating as to the pros and cons of its effectiveness. When in reality the practical application works just fine for those who desire to make it work.

The same thing is true in the engraving world. You ask 20 different engravers what is the best way to sharpen a graver and you will get 400 answers. As if that didn't make things confusing enough all 400 sharpening methods work. This irritates the daylights out of beginning engravers but... it is what it is.

JMHO,

Ray

All good info,but use diamond spray with some trepidation,over do it and you can destroy a perfectally honed edge in a heart beat.

I've read that felt is a much better vehicle for the Diamond Spray. It gives a smoother edge.

Originally Posted by evert67

To me this sounded a bit weird. Balsa is not really an abrasive.

Every surface is abrasive to some degree, even newspaper (which many of us use in the final stages of honing, right before leather stropping).

Speaking of Abrasive Paste's, I always wondered just how many strokes various people use when using different grits of paste's to smooth the edge of a str8 razor???? I try not to use more than 20/25 strokes at a time with only about 8 to 10 Of CromOx to finish. But then I"m still experimenting with my honing, and will for many years to come I expect.

Good luck to all, and have a great Shave on me!!!

tinkersd of SRP!!

The deal w/ using diamond spray on balsa is that it doesn't have any give to it--the crystals can really get in there (the steel, that is) & grind & the edge will not be as smooth as it could be as the scratches in the steel will be deeper. Leather can do the same thing. Felt allows the particles to sink in so they don't cut as deep, leaving a smoother & sharper edge. Remember it's not just the particle size; it's also how deep the particle cuts. Crox particles are more rounded & don't suffer from this effect as much. No idea about CBN as I haven't used it.

Hope this helps.

I have found CBN to be superior to diamond for strops. I have been using 0.1 micron CBN for the better part of a year and I find it a very nice addition step after I come off my J-Nat and for keeping the edge in shape. Shaves as smooth as a J-Nat but superlative keenness. It is amazing what 10 or 15 laps does.

Richard

I've missed this somewhere. What is CBN?