How do I use Hand American compound?

C

chococrazy

Joined
Jul 1, 2009
Messages
506
Hi I was wondering how I use HA slurry compound or their dry compound?
I was going to buy it, but I'm not sure how you apply it to a strop.
Also, does this compound work good on a leather belt. I have a strop from them but I use it without compound for my final stropping or should I just put it on this 1?
 
chococrazy said:
Hi I was wondering how I use HA slurry compound or their dry compound?
I was going to buy it, but I'm not sure how you apply it to a strop.
Also, does this compound work good on a leather belt. I have a strop from them but I use it without compound for my final stropping or should I just put it on this 1?
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I would pick up the phone and call them. I called last week with some questions and I'm glad I did. I got off the phone with a very clear understanding of the products I was interested in.
 
I use their green gel all the time - I like the feel it gives the strop - better than plain mineral oil to mix with diamond paste.
 
morrowj_98 said:
I would pick up the phone and call them. I called last week with some questions and I'm glad I did. I got off the phone with a very clear understanding of the products I was interested in.
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Glad to see someone can get ahold of them. Ive been trying to get someone on the phone for a while now, have had no luck. I'd really like to get some of their stuff too. I'll keep at it.
 
Gotsouthern said:
Glad to see someone can get ahold of them. Ive been trying to get someone on the phone for a while now, have had no luck. I'd really like to get some of their stuff too. I'll keep at it.
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Are you leaving messages? I called and left a message and was called back the same day.
 
morrowj_98 said:
Are you leaving messages? I called and left a message and was called back the same day.
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Yessir, which would explain the slightly annoyed tone of my post haha. I've heard that place is kind of a one man show, so I can be patient. But its been 2 weeks probably, haven't heard a thing. And I feel like a crack head in detox over leather and some damn stropping compound...I hold every one of you on this site personally accountable for that!!! :D
 
Choco... if you have bar compound, rub it on like a crayon. Several stripes on the leather (or on a piece of smooth board) will do. You don't have to completely cover up all the leather and you don't have to put it on thickly. Crayon it on, then use your thumb to rub it into the surface and spread it around a bit. As long as you have some color on the strop it's enough compound. Don't over do it, and don't think you need to add more every time you strop. I might add a bit more after every 75-100 knives... If you still have color you still have usable compound.

For the powdered compound's... especially green CrO2, put on your oldest clothes, take the strop and powder outside, be sure there is ABSOLUTLY no wind, (do NOT, under any circumstances, sneeze,) and sprinkle about 1/2 a teaspoon of the powder onto the strop. Use a wadded up paper towel to spread the powder around and work it into the strop. Then blow off all the excess. Then go back inside, directly to the washing machine and quickly remove and wash all your clothes. Then take a mop and a lot of water and try to clean up all the green powder that is marking your trail from the door to the washing machine. This part may take several years...

Stitchawl
 
chococrazy said:
What about liquids?
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Same same. I'm guessing you have the liquid green chromium oxide. Good stuff and easy to work with. Just don't over do it (like I did when I first got it!)

Shake it up well, then just squirt on a few thin lines, perhaps 2-3, going from one end of the strop to the other. Maybe zig-zag lines would be good. When I say thin, I mean THIN!!! No wider than the size of a Capital letter here on the board! That should be enough for you to then spread over the entire strop, (if there are some thinner spots, don't worry about it!) and gently rub off the excess. As I said before, you don't need to goop this stuff on. If you have color, it's enough. I bought an 8oz bottle of the green liquid about 10-15 years ago. I still have half a bottle left. Let the liquid dry then rub again with a paper towel. What is left on the strop should be enough to do 50-100 knives. At that point, just put on a few drops all over the strop and spread around with a paper towel. You'll be ready for the next 50-100 knives.

Stitchawl
 
chococrazy said:
So what do you guys think of a cowhide leather belt from LL bean as a strop :P.
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I think it's a waste of a good belt. But it would work well. Be sure to use the smooth side, not the rough side.

Any smooth, firm surface that you use as a base for the compound will work well; leather, MDF board, a smooth piece of pine board (although harder is better for beveled edge blades,) or even a paint stirring stick! It's the compound that is doing the work, not the base.

(Is there an echo in here? :rolleyes: )


Stitchawl
 
stitchawl said:
I think it's a waste of a good belt. But it would work well. Be sure to use the smooth side, not the rough side.

Any smooth, firm surface that you use as a base for the compound will work well; leather, MDF board, a smooth piece of pine board (although harder is better for beveled edge blades,) or even a paint stirring stick! It's the compound that is doing the work, not the base.

(Is there an echo in here? :rolleyes: )


Stitchawl
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I think I hear it. :)

Keith from Hand American recommends any softer wood as a base for the Chromium Oxide compound. Balsa...pine....and yes...a paint stirring stick works great. Good advice.
 
Do you guys think a fence post or board would make a good strop board.
It's either pine or oak one of the two :P.
 
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