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.

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

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?

Why don't you buy ready made Puma chomium oxide paste? One package will last you a lifetime IMHO.

I think Keith uses Lanolin. Mixing it with the Fromm's should work too.

Thanks. He was fairly tight-lipped about it when I was placing my order and offered to sell me his paste instead.
I'm not ordering the paste because 4 of us will pay less for a lifetime supply of poweder SHIPPED than for a 5g tube of paste before shipping.

Edit: Where can you buy lanolin? At a pharmacy? Bulk store?

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

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Edit: Where can you buy lanolin? At a pharmacy? Bulk store?

Old-fashioned pharmacist's who still make creams and ointments to order. I have used lanolin as a pre-shave for a while. It is a very viscous substance that smells like unperfumed ointment.