Choosing Leather for Strop

GuntBuck

GuntBuck

Gold Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2024
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4
Hi there,

I recently purchased a Bark River Ext-1 and I need to get a leather strop. I'm looking at the DLT XL Double Sided Paddle Strop but I'm not sure which leather option would be best. They offer the strop with 1 side rough 1 side smooth, rough on both sides, and smooth on both sides. I will be using Bark River green and white compound because I already have some on hand. I'm thinking that 1 side rough 1 side smooth would be the best option for me but I could use some guidance.

Thanks!
 
I have always used smooth but not sure if it matters much. I would think compound would make bigger difference but will see if any others chime in on potential advantages of rough.
 
I use a similar two sided strop. It's 1 side rough and 1 side smooth. I have compound on the rough side. It may not be the best way, but it works for me.
 
Rough holds the paste in better....... Smooth is for finishing......... I add a little red compound to the smooth side of my Billy strop -4 sides........Diamond, black green and red. I like the multiple grits
 
Thanks for all of the help! It seems like the general consensus is 1 side rough and 1 side smooth. What is the advantage of using a CBN emulsion? Will I be at a disadvantage if I just use regular ol' green and white compound?
 
Smooth is your best option for finishing. Typically it's the cheaper strops that use unfinished split hide (rough). Unless you're main purpose is deburring, then a smooth surface yields better finishing results and is less likely to round your edge.

Horsehide is good because of a larger amount of silica in the leather - which is very good as a plain strop surface (Shell cordovan Is the premium choice). Kangaroo is good because it is incredibly thin and tough, and thus not as likely to round your edge if you're stropping with slightly too much pressure on a hard backed surface.

If you're careful with your pressure applied, then smooth bovine leather will be a good choice and easily available and replaceable.
 
I usually do the coarser/rougher side with the coarser compound (14 micron diamond) since it also helps to de burr. The finer compound (3 micron diamond) goes on the smoother side. The diamond really helps with dealing with the higher alloyed/wear resistant steels. I have the DLT double sided with 8 micron (rough side) and 2 micron CBN (smooth side) on it IIRC and another strop with black on the rough and green on the smooth. If you go with 2 sides the same, make sure you label them so you know which grit is which after a while, especially if you aren't using colored compounds!
 
Taz said:
I usually do the coarser/rougher side with the coarser compound (14 micron diamond) since it also helps to de burr. The finer compound (3 micron diamond) goes on the smoother side. The diamond really helps with dealing with the higher alloyed/wear resistant steels. I have the DLT double sided with 8 micron (rough side) and 2 micron CBN (smooth side) on it IIRC and another strop with black on the rough and green on the smooth. If you go with 2 sides the same, make sure you label them so you know which grit is which after a while, especially if you aren't using colored compounds!
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Thanks, Taz. This is really helpful.
 
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