A couple stropping questions

C

Cliff27

Joined
Feb 24, 2009
Messages
8
I was planning on making a homemade strop and was wondering a couple things: Do I want to use the smooth part of the leather or the rougher side? I know i should wash-off the blade before stropping, but should I clean it off after? Thanks.

(I looked at those series of youtube videos that that guy made. They were very helpful)
 
most reccomend the smooth side (for compound), but i've seen folks put compound on the rough side (even without smoothing out the rough side), and nothing on the smooth side (with vegetable tanned leather).

and yes, clean it off after,
unless you're missing cromium/aluminum/silica/iron/wax in your diet :)
 
You may want to purchase compressed leather for making a strop. Jantz has some I believe. I got mine at a Wood Craft store not too far from my home. I have made a couple on old leather belts, it was ok to quell my curiosity of strops, but now I am going to make them right. If your leather is not compressed, you may want to roll it while slightly moist (as it is drying) as per recommended by others smarter than me. I have heard to use lighter fluid or finger nail polish remover prior to applying compound which is supposed to smooth it on more even and then it will evaporate off. I will do this step outside. I enjoy the effect of stropping on blade sharpening and polishing of the edge, it looks real purdy.
 
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