Applying Diamond Emulsion Stropping Compounds
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I have found I get better results and longevity with the Diamond Emulsion Stropping Compounds if I apply them to my stropping medium before I intend to use the strop. I allow it dry completely, usually over night. I don’t experience the scrape off or flaking using the dried emulsions. When I had used the strops right after applying fresh compounds, the wet or not totally dried emulsions, seem to scrape right off.
Marc
(MarcH's Rack-Its)I have only noticed flaking with the diamond pastes. Perhaps I’m being too miserly with my applications of diamond emulsion. I apply just enough to cover the majority of the leather and it dries right into the strop within minutes. I have never observed any flaking after applying the gel.
Try moistening the strops with rubbing alcohol from a spritz bottle before using the strops. Even if the paste flakes off some of the diamond abrasives that were in the paste should have been rubbed into and embedded into the leather strop. The paste will eventually rub in. Just keep using them and reapplying the past when needed. If it looks like you have bare places, add paste to those areas. I only clean off the leather when it appears really black and shinny with metal. That could be after 15-20 knives of use. Other than that I just apply compound when needed without cleaning the leather first.
Don’t loose sight that what’s more important is how the knife looks after being stropped, not how the strop looks after using it.
Marc
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James, when did you purchase your diamond emulsions? I think that Marc and I are both using the Jende Industries product which has since been replaced with a proprietary WE branded product. This may account for the different behavior of the emulsion that you’ve seen.
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Mutt, I hold the sprayer so opening just touching the leather. Then, for me, it sprays, really, applies a dollop of emulsion on the leather. I do in five little spots down the length of the leather strips, (both sides). Then I rub the same grit sides together in an attempt to spread the emulsion evenly across the entire leather strips. I like to let it dry thoroughly before I use it.
I honestly don’t have personal experience with the Wicked Edge Brand Emulsion spray bottles. I do know the Jende Brand bottles did require a good amount of pressing pressure on the sprayer cap to get it to come out. I agree there’s probably a better bottle or type of applicator that should be employed.
Marc
(MarcH's Rack-Its)Thanks, MarcH. That is pretty close to what I ended up doing, but it did not spray because it was clogged. Instead it leaked out all over the place. I think maybe an eye dropper top may be better than a pump spray top.
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I have one sprayer that’s cracked, unusable and clogged. I apply the emulsion by unscrewing the cap and painting it on with the sprayer straw. I don’t care for that method because it seems like an easy way to cross contaminate the whole bottle. I though about using a dropper top bottle from the crafts store but there’s really no efficient way to transfer the 7 or 8 ml contents of the sprayer bottle without loosing most of it or leaving most of it in the old bad bottle. Maybe diluting it with purified water. Diluting it isn’t bad if it’ll thin it enough to pour it then use it. The viscosity won’t effect the particle size. It just makes the emulsion less concentrated. It’d be the same thing if you apply enough emulsion. After you let it dry. I think I’ll buy some inexpensive travel spray bottles and use the clean straw to apply the emulsion, for now, then clip the used end off when finished. An empty eye dropper bottle may do the job. One that you turn the dropper down to apply the drops. Just brain storming ideas I’ve come up with. It’s not like we’re going to quit using the products. We need to find a work around until Wicked Edge and Jende Industries both come up with something better to apply these thick products.
Marc
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