Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)
Nothing is easier than ordering a green stick, and it works. The question is whether the combination of green and white is better than just white. Is the green there just because we have come to expect it? Do we need to be concerned that a green stick could be an abrasive mixture or that this stick has more green stuff than that, and hence is better?

At what point does one say "sharp enough"?

Well, Paul Sellers goes from his 1200 diamond stone and then spends 5 minutes stroking on green compound on soggy leather until the edge of his blade is shiny and sharp. To me this is crazy. Others seem to approve.

About a year or so ago there was a discussion on a forum about high purity chromium compound ... that the Veritas/Lee Valley crayon contained some grains larger than 0.5 microns. So the cool guys went off and purchased fine, pure and true 0.5 micron chrome powder. I think that they are still sharpening up their blades.

Meanwhile the rest of us scribble a little of the Veritas/Lee Valley impure stuff on hardwood or MDF, and stroke a blade three times following a 10K stone, and call it good.

Regards from Perth

Derek