got a strop. I feel like an idiot.

PURPLEDC

PURPLEDC

Joined
Apr 4, 2007
Messages
8,578
for years i never gave strops a second look. I thought they were for razors and felt the learning curve would be too great. Well today i just got my first strop (flexx double sided fxo1 i believe) today and in 3 minutes i restored the edge on two knives i thought would need to be thrown on my apex and they are sharper than they ever were. So sharp i literally was laughing because i didnt believe it was that easy. Has anyone else resisted this old world wonder and beeen amazed you went that long (25 years for me) without one?

Edited to add: now that i have learned how to hand sharpen and started using a strop i really am sorry i bought an apex. sometimes simple really is better.
 
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It amazes me how long a strop will maintain a keen edge between sharpening. Its a game changer for sure.
I have a 10" oval ceramic rod that also works wonders.
 
Just with a home made strop of leather glued to particle board and treated with green abrasive mixed with olive oil, I m able to turn a very sharp knife edge sharper, and a medium knife edge very sharp. Nice tool for touch ups at night.
 
I have had lots of sharpening stuff, even very fine stones but until I actually started stropping I never got an edge I was completely satisfied with. Not having one was like leaving my shoes untied.
 
My dad used to strop knives on his belt after sharpening, and I've always done the same, so...not really :) But I also use waterstones(dad would have loved these:) )
and black and green rouge on strops.
Dad always swore by just a dab of bon ami(an old machinist trick), and it honestly works just fine..
 
I've been in the same boat....
I think today's the day I order one, maybe Strop man or Knives plus.
 
You've been an active member for 8 years and you've only just got yourself a strop? lol :eek:

Glad you've seen the light, a good strop and the right technique will change the game. I turn uglied and unsharp knives into screamers with a little time on my strop!

Spread the word. ;)
 
GOOD for you.
I also started using a good quality leather strop only two years ago and then upgraded to my StropMan.
It really takes a good edge and makes it Perfect!!
 
I'm a stropping failure so far, I've tried 3-4 of them, and different compounds and various angles, watched several videos etc. but for me it seems like I only make things worse. Perhaps it's because I prefer a toothy edge and my stropping is just putting too much of a polished edge on. I probably just need more practice.
 
Whats the best compound color that one should use? Just for a single strop so only one compound!
 
you can use your belt if its leather, if it is use black, white, and green.
 
My main strop is a piece of leather nailed to a bit of old pine I got from a shelf unit. I use autosol as a compound as it's cheap and it works good.



And a close up.. lol



This little rhino beetle wanted to play, so I gave him his 15 minutes and set him free.
 
Congrats on getting a strop PURPLEDC ! Someday I'd like to try Japanese waterstones,always something new to learn.
 
sir_mike said:
I am only looking for one compound so out of those three, which one should I get?

Thx.
Click to expand...

I would suggest Flexcut Gold. It uses a combination of grits, and the end result is a fast cutting compound that gives a really keen edge.
 
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