Thread: Who likes .25 micron diamond paste?

The SRP library indicates .25 micron paste is a "love it or hate it" affair. I had purchased some in the past but hadn't tried it much till recently when I've been experimenting with it on felt. I think it adds an element of sharpness after Crox but I haven't experienced the harshness alluded to. So I'm wondering...what's the current consensus among readers? Are many using it and, if so, what are your results?

For straight razors I don't really care for any paste!
Stone and strop makes it perfect for me.
They work fine thou, but at .1 diamond or CBN it's way to harsh for me.
.25 might be a little nicer but my set up works fine as it is.
For tools I use anything that makes them better, wood doesn't complain about harshness!

I don't hardly use none of them pastes. Microns is like them microbes. If you cain't see 'em, they ain't there.

I tend to use diamond sprays on my kitchen knives, but for razors I find them a tad harsh.
CrO pastes and CBN are more to my liking on razors, the times I decide to actually use any

Originally Posted by mumpig

The SRP library indicates .25 micron paste is a "love it or hate it" affair. I had purchased some in the past but hadn't tried it much till recently when I've been experimenting with it on felt. I think it adds an element of sharpness after Crox but I haven't experienced the harshness alluded to. So I'm wondering...what's the current consensus among readers? Are many using it and, if so, what are your results?

Felt = Good
After CrOx = Probably a waste

Many of the articles in the Wiki are rather old, when the SRD felt strop became popular and the Diamond application moved from Paste to Spray things changed a bit..

There are several variables that need to be qualified, the Bed Medium used, the type of Diamond used, and the number of laps, used after which Finisher ????
And most importantly what razor all this is being applied to..

Basically YMMV and in this case it probably will vary.. Personally I would head to the sprays off of felt used on very hard steels only

My wife gets 1 carat and up, Don't see why I should settle for less...

I have some but haven't used it in a while. I thought it left a harsh edge on most razors but was good for the hard steels.

I wouldn't use it in any combination with CrO though. For most razors I think the CrO does a better job.

I just started using .25 and like it. I used it before Crox. Seemed to take the bite off. I was using a Cuir Libelulle 4 sided paddle strop.

I find the .25 is best used on a smooth balsa paddle on occasion, for some, as it is "almost there" after a test, followed by CroOx and leather. Agreed, usually on hard steels. A bit much for any maintenence, IMO
Fine stuff, if used sparingly!

The problem that I had with 0.25 diamond is that it left my razor "toothy". When I tried to do scything strokes with it, cuts were constant. The edge given was keen but not very smooth. Better to go down to 0.1 or go to CBN which in lower grits give a very smooth edge.


Take Care,
Richard