Quote Originally Posted by niftyshaving View Post
.... I have taken to giving it spritzes of 0.25 micron diamond which seems to cut the sizing as much as it polishes steel. I wish I had access to some old chalk board dust instead.
I researched this a bit and am now certain that the chalk that they are referring to in the old texts as "magnesia" is carbonate of magnesia, currently still available as chalk for rope climbers, gymnasts, and weightlifters. Apparently blackboard chalk is a different chemical (based on gypsum). I bought a cloth bag the size of a softall full of it for $5. If you can't find any locally where the wall climbing guys and gals buy their stuff I know you can order it from www.mec.ca. I just rub the cloth ball of chalk against the linen strop and then use the palm of my hand to rub the chalk dust into the waeve of the fabric. Semms to stick ok.