cardboard stroping

[nc527]

I have tryed to strop with plain cardboard, and I cannot do anything with it. would putting white compound on it give me a respectable edge? if not, then what can i use?

 

[rayban]

May I ask...why cardboard?? Leather is an older than dirt stropping material, why not stay with that?

 

[Roger999]

If you're using compound then cardboard would be fine, I've done it with green compound with the same results as with a leather strop.

 

[Brian_T]

Plain cardboard will work but loading it with white, black, or green compound will speed things up considerably.

Are you using corrugated cardboard (two layers with "ribs" in between) or a single layer like on the back of a notebook? I find the single layer stuff works much better for me.

Also, with all stropping, remember to use a light touch. Too much pressure and you'll round off your edge.

B

 

[nc527]

ight Mabey I am putting too much pressure on the cardboard.

 

[softrockrenegade]

cardboard works very well for me on an almost daily basis!! i work on a construction site so touch up options are very limited haha.. works best on softer steels but just today i brought back a decent edge on some d2 with just a few strokes on the top of a box.. cardboard is very abrasive and actually will work good with the right touch

 

[gary jp4]

If Mothers Mag Wheel Polish or Flitz is more available to you, they work well on cardboard too. I probably wouldn't put them on leather because I think wax or soap based polish is better for the leather, but I am sure they would work.

Leather last longer and I like the feel of it better.

Cardboard is more readily available, works well, and I use it sometimes.

I think if anyone wants to try stropping and is reluctant to get into leather or not sure is they want to spend money on a strop, they should at least try cardboard. I have used magazine covers, envelopes, ribbed cardboard, etc, but I too like the back of a note book the best. The cardboard is abrasive by itself, but I like it loaded with a little more aggressive polishing compound the best for touch ups. I use cardboard bare when I need it too.

Gary

 

[flashlife]

I use manila-folder cardboard strops, loaded with several different compounds.
Get a large (5 gal) paint stirrer from Lowes/HomeDepot and glue a 7" piece of manila-folder cardboard to it, using white glue.
Allow to dry, then moisten the cardboard with lighter fluid and smear on the compound. In a few minutes, after the lighterfluid evaporates, you're good to go.
Here's a pic, using Harbor Freight Black(coarse) and Green (fine) compounds: