Well to me, that description of the Ryobi compound is VERY different from any compound rated at 1-3 microns.

Any compound described for use "when coarse buffing, removing rust, scratches, burrs and pits from hard metals" would likely (in my thinking) be in the 15 - 30 micron or 400 - 600 grit range (????????).

Anything that would be used to remove rust and pits from hard metals would need to be way more coarse than 1-3 microns.

Anything rated at 1-3 microns would generally be described as used for HIGH luster polishing or similar - not rust and pit removal.

However, from what you have described and what you seem to want to accomplish, I would recommend "black" and green compounds as the two most beneficial to use on a manual strop - assuming black is about 15-30 microns (400 - 600 grit range or so).

1-3 microns is for fine mirror polishing on edges - considering that about 5-10 microns starts to visibly mirror polish more than visibly scratch.

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I might suggest - rather than loading your new strop immediately with your new compounds to first try both compounds out loaded on some paper prior to loading your strop.

Just use some (preferrably) thick construction type paper or similar heavy weight paper - regular printer paper if you have to - But, if you look around, you should be able to find some envelope paper or something heavier than printer paper pretty easily. You can tape it around your other block and rub the compound on it. The compounds will still work on paper on a flat surface - similar to sandpaper. Paper on a hard block won't give as much as sandpaper on a mousepad or leather, but it should be sufficient for testing the function of the compounds. The paper won't last nearly as long as the leather, but should be sufficient for testing the compound.

Try out each compound on a cheap knife on the paper to make sure you are happy with how each compound works.

One of the great things about most of the lighter colored compounds including the green is that you can actually see it turn black as an indication of metal removal.

It is hard to see this "streak" process with black compound. Which is one reason I am prone to believe it is more in the 15-30 grit coarse range. If your black compound is a more coarse black compound like most black compounds, you can see the results on the knife's blade easy enough after a few passes - without needing to see black streaks on your strop. If the black compound were 1-3 microns, you could be working on a blade for a long time and never know if you were even doing anything. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

If you purchased the Ryobi compound at Home Depot (carries Ryobi), and you find it is not the grit you had hoped for, Home Depot is GREAT about taking back items if not satisfied. I would explain the "contradiction" in the labeling.

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