Thread: Newspaper micron?

What's the micron equivalent of stropping on a newspaper? I've heard that it is equivalent to about 0.1 micron? That sounds like something that could refresh a blade quite nicely.

Any thoughts?

Also how do you hold it when you're stropping?

I am not sure it has ever been measured but the general consensus that I have read is that newspaper is in the 0.1 micron range.

Why don't people use it more often if it's a smaller micron than Cr0 for example...

Small is slower actually honing on newspaper takes forever plus some.
Newspaper isn't that consistant a cutter.
You don't need anything that fine.
If you did get an edge that fine it wold be extremely fragile.
An edge that fine would be kind of harsh.

This would make sense. Thanks for the advice man!

I am pretty sure the folks stropping on newspaper are using it as a quick/cheap/easy substrate/holding place for Chromium Oxide powder. It’s green and makes quite a mess. The CrOx .5 micron beads are very effective at polishing an edge.

It is slow.
I tape a few layers down firmly to a flat surface. In my case, either a hone or a cut piece of polished marble floor tile and strop on the newspaper.

I use the newspaper as a substrate to rub a small amount of dry chromium oxide powder on as already suggested.

However, I also use it plain and find that it does not produce a harsh edge. It produces a very nice edge and takes an already well honed edge to an even better place. I'm a fan of newspaper.

Another reason I'm a fan is because you can't overhone on it and I like doing 50-100 passes sometimes when I've taken an edge where I think I want it to be on the hones. While doing the many passes on newspaper, I think to myself "Oooh, this is going to be a good edge!"

Chris L