I want to start stropping

[lambertiana]

I strop V-grind edge bevels all the time, and it really makes a difference. It removes any burr/wire edge, and polishes the edge.

 

[sambo.]

the "compound" on my strop is just the oil and ground up blade gunk off my stones.

works just fine.

 

[Jason B.]

Stropping is just like using a stone just with a much finer abrasive. If you look at pg3 of my thread "the first sharpening" I explain the pressure points needed to hold a proper angle. I can't stress enough "feel" though, if you want sharpen with your eyes closed it will heighten your other senses.

The bigger problem seems to be jumping to many grits or simply not using each one long enough. If you follow the directions of the sharpmaker and have all the rods your really only doing 1/10 of the work truly needed with each stone. The results most get with the UF rods should be had by the completion of the brown stones.

Now for stropping with compounds it pays to watch your microns. If you finish on a UF 3 micron stone then try and polish with 0.5 micron Cro its going to take hours to reduce that 8k scratch to a 50k scratch. I've also learned .5 is about useless for knives unless your having fun, your edge is mirrored out after 1 micron and .5 puts you at the level of a straight razor when done correctly.

 

[kzooglock23]

I just recently purchased a couple of really nice custom strops form a fellow member here by the name Mr2Blue.

I recommend talking to him for some really nice strops!
He's currently sold out, but here is a thread showing some of his work.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=719931&highlight=mr2blue

Listen to Zippo. Mr2Blue makes these wonderful strops. They are made very well and are fairly priced. Add some Lee Valley compound and your ready to get your strop on.

The results are well worth the money.

SB

 

[Lycosa]

I glued a piece of mouse-pad on a block of wood. It works like a charm.