Thread: Paste medium

I just got some and ordered some more chromium oxide 0.5mic abrasive powder from Hand American. Keith was helpful with shipping, but wouldn't reveal his trade secrets like what to use as a medium to turn it into a paste. Randy suggested using an oil base as water may dry out the leather of my bench hone, but aren't Amplex pastes water-based? So what should I do?



1) Just use water?
2) Use oil (suggestions for the oil type are more than welcome, especially if it's cheap lol)

Edit: Image added. It's in the gallery as well.

I'd try liquid strop conditioner or leather conditioner. The chapstick tube of CO and BC I got from Keith both took a few days to dry out once applied, so it's not water or oil.

Great idea MP. I actually have a bottle of strop dressing from Tony but I've been using solidified mink oil instead b/c I hate the smell of the dressing. Any comments on this alternative or any others?

I've been using Fromm Strop Dressing (no odor that I notice) for the powder, its worked great for me the little dots I apply spread out nice and adhere well.

Damon, how much of each do you mix?

I use about an 1/8 teaspoon and add a drop or two at a time of Fromm Strop Dressing just mix with a toothpick until the powder is a pasty consistency not runny but like the consistency of toothpaste. I would say its almost 50/50, It should make enough to paste your strop 2 to three times depending on size of paddle.

Thanks. I'll give it a shot when I finally have some time to do my honing. Got a LONG waiting list.

You said you bought some and ordered some more? What are you doing with it? It only takes a quarter teaspoon of paste to do a whole hanging strop, and it lasts for months.

I got a small sample from Randy just to give it a shot. However I will be making a double sided pasted paddle strop in addition to this bench hone and giving away a couple of dime-bags od this stuff. Therefore 1/3 or 1/4 or a 1lb order (going splits with Dave, Jason and possibly Sean) doesn't seem THAT unreasonable.

As I'm planning on sending out some of my stash to people who may not have strop dressing on hand, what other easily obtainable media would you guys suggest for them?