<b>What is LAVODA honing compound?</b><br> LAVODA Honing compound is extremely fine abrasive used in the final polishing stages of sharpening. These abrasives are sometimes loose, but are usually held in a medium like a wax bar, a paste or a spray. The particles in our selection of compounds range from 0.25 to 1 microns. Various materials are used for the abrasive particles such as aluminum oxide, chromium oxide and ferric oxide. White compound is 1 microns calcined alumina, Green compound is 0.5 microns chrome oxide, Red compound is 0.25 microns iron oxide. <br><br> <b>How do I use honing compound? </b><br> Any of these compounds can be applied by rubbing them back and forth on the leather or balsa wood. Condition the leather with a few drops of oil and charge the strop with honing compound.The waxy consistency allows it to adhere well to any substrate without powdering. Simply rub the bar evenly on the surface like a crayon. A little goes a very long way, so this small bar will last for a very long time. If you find that the leather isn’t taking the compound you can sand it (the leather) down with some 100 grit sand paper. Another method to applying the compound is to warm up the strop and compound with a hair dryer. WARNING: DON’T GET IT TOO HOT, THE COMPOUND WILL MELT AND MAKE A MESS ALSO YOU DON’T WANT TO BURN THE LEATHER. Note that honing compound is the final abrasive used in the sharpening process. The abrasive particles are extremely small and will polish an existing edge to a mirror finish, but are not aggressive enough to bring a dull edge back to sharp. The edge being sharpened must have been taken through the finest sharpening stones before the compound is used for it to be effective.