Can stropping actually make your knife LESS sharp if done wrong??

[MTHall720]

I want to try using a leather strop with green compound but never tried before. Wondering if I did it "wrong" somehow, would my blade be dulled or have any negative impact?

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Yes, it can dull it by rounding the edge. Use light pressure, and an angle slightly less than your sharpening angle.

 

[Komitadjie]

Yes, it can easily dull the edge if you are not careful. As Bill said, light pressure and the correct angle.

None of the damage that a strop can do is of the kind that can not be easily removed by sharpening, so don't be afraid to grab a knife and just try it! You can always just step back to a fine stone and work that final edge again if you need to.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Absolutely. Angle too high, or pressure too heavy will round off the edge. Some steels are more forgiving to marginal technique on the strop (D2 comes to mind). A good steel to practice on is 1095. It'll round off easily if technique is bad, but reward you with a screaming-sharp edge if it's good.

Sometimes, even if the angle and pressure are good, just over-stropping a blade can take some of the 'bite' out of the edge. If the edge is done correctly coming off the hones, just a few passes on a strop is generally all that's needed.

 

[MTHall720]

thanks to all for the help with this. I definitely do want to try this but will be very careful.

 

[MTHall720]

Wish you guys lived in my area! Would be great to learn in person with someone with a lot of experience.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Don't know if you've seen it, but this is an excellent reference on stropping technique, with great visual aids illustrating proper use of angle and pressure (it's a 'sticky' in the Maint forum, BTW):

Stropping: angle plus pressure

 

[David Martin]

Yes, it can. Plus, stropping on leather (or any spongy material)naturally convexs the edge in short order. DM

 

[MTHall720]

Don't know if you've seen it, but this is an excellent reference on stropping technique, with great visual aids illustrating proper use of angle and pressure (it's a 'sticky' in the Maint forum, BTW):

Stropping: angle plus pressure

Thanks This is the first time I heard of this.

 

[roncunningham]

I am trying to learn stropping as well. Sometimes I will dull a knife while trying to get the correct angle. I would be nice to watch someone in person. Good luck.

 

[HeavyHanded]

Your Sharpie isn't just for stone work, make a few small marks at three or four points along the apex. Study every pass or two to see where your strop is hitting.

 

[MadMullet]

Just keep at, I started on some junk kitchen type knifes till I got it down pat also the type of compound you use makes a difference I like to finish off with HandAmerican .25micron Diamond Slurry spray. the diamond spray stuff is not cheap but will give you insane edges. I think the .25 micron is close to 120,000 grit and it works best on a balsa wood type strop. Ive also had good luck using MASS brand polishing cream on strops too.

 

[Chris "Anagarika"]

As stated by others, yes it can dull, or take out the 'bite'.

Nice to hear someone else using MAAS metal polish with good result too .

 

[tikkidaddy]

I use dedicated strops w/simichrome, blue magic, mothers motorcycle polish (available at wally world) I try each polish on its own strop. I use oak sole leather strops glued to a flat piece of wood. If you want that flash o' light blinding mirrored "katana" edge bevel polish, give this a try. You can also use leather chunx cut in various shapes. Be careful, it gets scary sharp!!

 

[Benuser]

I have excellent results with newspaper. Especially black ink gives a great toothy edge.

 

[dcmartin]

Your Sharpie isn't just for stone work, make a few small marks at three or four points along the apex. Study every pass or two to see where your strop is hitting.

I am a big fan of the Sharpie trick... I love having 3 semi superfluous things around when i sharpen / strop
1: 10x loupe
2: Sharpie (actually i use a dry erase marker)
3: Some newspaper

You may think you have a real "mirror" edge but the loupe may tell you otherwise. It will let you see scratches or "toothiness" you normally couldn't see. The sharpie tells you where you have been and if your angle is correct. The newspaper will let you know the degrees of sharpness. Once you get a polished or semi polished edge you're going to cut paper fairly easily but you will be surprised in the decrease of drag you get with every 20-40 more pulls on the strop. If you do it right, you should be able to make very thin strips of newspaper with a 2 finger pinch grip effortlessly.

Also with every few pulls on the strop make a long cut on the newspaper to see if you are making it sharper or duller. It's a learning process so practice on some lower end knives first. Mistakes are not a bad thing (on lower end knives)