Thread: Red Paste Grit Equivalent

I don't have a lot of money so I've been going straight from an 8k to red and then black paste and then naked strop. It seems to work fairly well, I was wondering if anyone knew the approximate grit equivalent of red paste, would it be something like 12k? I don't see any metal on the newspaper I use to stop so I'm guessing it's higher than 8k. The brand is Herold Solingen.

I thought black was usually coarser than red. Maybe I'm wrong. As I understand it, it is difficult to assign grit to colored polishes and it probably varies from maker to maker.
I would shave straight from the stones, then Strop on red paste and see how it compares.
I'm no expert so hopefully a more knowledgeable member can chime in later.

All pastes are are subject here actual article size
I have ferris oxide in 0.1 microns but can get it in larger partial sizes
Generally ferris oxide is finer than chromium oxide and black paste or grey Tripoli is coarser again
0.1 is about 100k grit
0.3 is about 50k

When you say Red and Black paste in the same sentence

I think the Dovo stuff which is the same as the Herold Solingen brand in the little foil packs right ???

They have

Black - 1-3 Micron
Red - 3-5 micron
Green - 5-8 micron
Yellow - which is only conditioner
White - which is for Linen

Keep in mind that this is a MUCH softer MUCH more subtle paste than the equivalent grit sizes in Diamond or the Oxides,, the steel cutting potential is MUCH less

If that is what you have then YES 8k hone followed by Red then Black is the proper use and yes it works quite well

You might try 15 laps Red, followed by 20 laps Black followed by Linen then Leather use the Pastes every other week and see how the edge holds up.. Adjust from there


There is no real accurate Grit vs Micron rating comparison for these pastes

Originally Posted by gssixgun

When you say Red and Black paste in the same sentence

I think the Dovo stuff which is the same as the Herold Solingen brand in the little foil packs right ???

They have

Black - 1-3 Micron
Red - 3-5 micron
Green - 5-8 micron
Yellow - which is only conditioner
White - which is for Linen

Keep in mind that this is a MUCH softer MUCH more subtle paste than the equivalent grit sizes in Diamond or the Oxides,, the steel cutting potential is MUCH less

If that is what you have then YES 8k Red then Black is the proper use and yes it works quite well

You might try 15 laps Red, followed by 20 laps Black followed by Linen then Leather

OP--Please update your profile so as to include your location. There may be knowledgeable help close by!

Glen,

Sorry but I think he's using these:

https://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/H...aste-P694.aspx

Originally Posted by cudarunner

OP--Please update your profile so as to include your location. There may be knowledgeable help close by!

Glen,

Sorry but I think he's using these:

https://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/H...aste-P694.aspx

Yep same stuff but I am pretty sure my numbers are more correct than their's are,

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Yep same stuff but I am pretty sure my numbers are more correct than their's are,

As my father used to say: "Don't ask just anybody, ask somebody who knows something".

I like the Herold Solingen red and black crayon pastes. Off a coticule, I never get the edge I'm really looking for, but after the red paste, the edge is vastly improved. Otherwise it's off to a piece of Welsh purple slate for a few licks. Black for finesse and for touch-ups.

My understanding is that the red crayon paste is rated at 2-4 microns, and the black crayon paste at around 0.5 microns. The former would seem fairly aggressive when compared to the JIS waterstone ratings, but as it is held in suspension, I think the effect is milder. In any case, the red paste off a coticule, or an "8k" stone (Norton's scale being not exactly the same as JIS) would seem to be a good path from my experience, so I'm glad to hear of your results. What are you using to strop it with? Loom strop, paddle, hanging strop?

Also, I note that this is your first post here. So welcome to the club. Why not introduce yourself to the gallery at large?

Originally Posted by Brontosaurus

I like the Herold Solingen red and black crayon pastes.
...

Are we talking about these pastes? Many thanks

Originally Posted by Montgomery

Are we talking about these pastes? Many thanks

Yes, those.