Deciding Between 2 Strops!

clanderson

clanderson

Joined
Dec 18, 2012
Messages
90
Hey guys! I just got my Boker Beer Barrel Whittler in - and it is BEAUTIFUL!! I would really like to keep the edge nice and purdy, and I believe stropping is the solution! ( Also to maintain the edge :) )

Right now I've got a Lansky sharpening system and I was thinking of getting the guided strop that you can purchase for it - but I'm not sure it's the best thing.
It's either that, or a Razorsharp Strop by Smoky Mountain Woodcarvers. I really dig the Razorsharp, but I'm not good at keeping angles when sharpening and such - but does it even matter if I keep a perfect angle?

SO! Essentially, the question is: Should I go with the simple guided angle strop or the sexy advanced strop? (Is keeping the right angle as important when stropping as it is when sharpening?)

I really want the Razorshoarp but I don't want to mess up my blade while learning to keep a good angle!
 
If you use the strop right, it should not damage the edge angle. Use a fine (green) compound if you use a compound at all, and apply LIGHT pressure when stropping. It is designed to de-bur and clean up the edge after sharpening. Actually, it should already be de-burred when you start the stropping, if you use the finer stones on your Lansky with light strokes on alternating sides.

Never thought of a strop as sexy, but different strokes for different folks. (pun intended) :confused:

Omar
:rolleyes:
 
clanderson said:
Ah ok. So if I strope it at an OK angle it should be good?
Click to expand...

Yep. Just use light pressure, and estimate your sharpening angle if you are using a freehand strop. Here is a great sticky that helped me out when I started stropping. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/750008-Stropping-angle-plus-pressure

Just do not use to high of an angle, or to much pressure. Both will micro convex or round your apex and dull it. If you do that, just go to the last stone you finished sharpening with, and hit both sides of your edge a few times per side, and strop again. Stropping really is not all that difficult with a bit of practice :).
 
stroping /polishing is a gr8 way to keep an edge and make it shine like the morning sun. a strop basicly removes the burr/fine polishes out theminute scraches left by the factory or ure finest hone. when chosing a compound despite steel130 saying the green chromium oxide compound the white compound under the microscope the white did more to polish out scraches on ure fine edge. when it comes to angles as long as ure within 5 degres of ure bevel and use minimal to light preasure u will do just fine. as for strokes about 2 per side starting from the tip to bottom moveing with the edge meaning dont cut into ure strop go with the edge. as for how much polishing compoung to use just crayon it on like a coloring book makeing sure there is an even layer to were u cant see the color of the strop thats when u know u have enough.if i were u i would go with the SMW strop so u can do bigger knives but if ure OCD like me u want the perfect angle everytime get the lansky strop but bewere the lanskt can only sharpen medium/small knives its ure choice make it wisely have fun and be responsible with all ure knives
 
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