Flatten strop leather?

HikingMano

HikingMano

Joined
Sep 2, 2008
Messages
7,702
One of my strops seems to have some concavity to it; only the edges of the strop are actually contacting the knife edge and it does diddly squat for my edges. What's the best way to fix this? Although I don't have a vise or a clamp, I thought perhaps pressing it might help?
 
I put a grommet in one end (or just punch a hole), tie a loop of paracord to it, and loop that over a door handle. Then when using the strop I pull it tight to keep good contact with the blade.
 
Awesome, thanks guys. :thumbup::thumbup: I don't have an orbital, but I could give it a shot by hand like Derrick suggested. And thanks for the grit info Knifenut :thumbup:
 
You might want to start with 80 then 220 if doing it by hand. Make sure to wipe it down well after, lots of leather dust gets stuck in the surface. Using a oil of some sort after and letting it dry overnight is a good idea too.

One quick question, you sure you strop base is true?
 
Yeah, I was thinking about trying 60 or 80 since I think 220 would take me a while by hand.

The strop is premade and glued up, so I'm not sure if the base is true directly under the leather. I don't really have a reliable straight-edge tool either, but I've tried checking it with cards and such and judging from the handle it seems pretty good. Any other way for me to check it?

I'll try sanding it a little tomorrow and see what happens.
 
If you can't see a warp in the base then sanding should solve your problem but if it does not then you know you have other problems.
 
Yeah, based on the handle area I can't see a warp. I'll try sanding it tonight and see :thumbup:. Thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top