Last minute stropping?

freq18hz

freq18hz

Joined
Mar 4, 2010
Messages
1,093
Hi all,

I'm due to leave for a camping trip, and the leather stop and compound I ordered isn't going to be delivered in time.

My Fallkniven F1 needs to be freshened up after a previous outing that resulted in some unplanned firemaking.


What can I use as a makeshift strop to re-freshen this edge in the meantime?


Thanks,


-Freq
 
The belt would do it, like 1234 mentioned.

Without compound, you're a bit limited in your options...
 
The back of a legal pad of paper will work too. I also recall someone mentioning the glossy paper from a magazine has some sort of abrasives as well. :thumbup:
 
Leather belt is good. If you have time to make a run to your local Home Depot, Lowe's, Sears or other hardware store, you could pick up some buffing/polishing compound made for use with bench grinder/buffing wheels. Apply it to the rough side of the belt (the compound will stick better there). OR, you could even lightly sand the leather with 220 grit sandpaper to give it some 'nap' to hold the compound.

Another possibility is to use a piece of cardboard (like the inside surface of a cereal box). You can cut a piece to glue to a flat stick and just 'crayon' the compound onto the cardboard.

I'm assuming your Fallkniven is a convex edge? You could do the sandpaper on mousepad stropping thing with that. Depending on how dull your edge is, that might be the most effective way to go about it, using progressively finer grits. Just go about it gently and carefully, so as not to round off your edge.
 
Leather and cardboard as mentioned are good. Jeans also can work. Basically anything coarse will work.
 
Just lay some sandpaper on the belt. Anywhere from 400 to 100 grit, depending on how toothy you like your edge, should be fine for a touch up. If the edge just needs "freshening" instead of a re beveling you should have it shaving sharp in no time.

PS You want wet/dry sandpaper. Walmart or any of the automotive stores should have some for less than $5.
 
I strop on my pants leg. I wear Carhartt cotton duck pants and they work very well. As mentioned already, jeans work good too.
Scott
 
freq18hz said:
Hi all,

I'm due to leave for a camping trip, and the leather stop and compound I ordered isn't going to be delivered in time.

My Fallkniven F1 needs to be freshened up after a previous outing that resulted in some unplanned firemaking.


What can I use as a makeshift strop to re-freshen this edge in the meantime?


Thanks,


-Freq
Click to expand...

You don't have any sharpening options at all?
 
Nope, someone stole my sharpmaker, and I recently purchased the F1. Used it once, and its no longer shaving sharp, or anywhere close...


-Freq
 
freq18hz said:
Nope, someone stole my sharpmaker, and I recently purchased the F1. Used it once, and its no longer shaving sharp, or anywhere close...


-Freq
Click to expand...

sounds like sandpaper would be the best way to go if its not anywhere close to where it needs to be
 
Ok so to clarify:

The blade cuts paper (barely, snags it a lot), but will not shave.

Should I strop, or sandpaper? Also, I don't know if the F1 is fully convex or not. I can't tell by looking at it...aren't they all convex?

Either way, isn't the best way to sharpen an F1 with the mousepad method? Also, can I use a straight razor strop, the thin kind that hangs from the wall?

-Freq
 
Some 1k and 2k sandpaper, if your knife is as dull as you describe then stropping probably won't do much. Don't use things like the sharpmaker on your F1, its a convex grind and if you want it to stay that way learn how to properly sharpen it.
 
knifenut1013 said:
Some 1k and 2k sandpaper, if your knife is as dull as you describe then stropping probably won't do much. Don't use things like the sharpmaker on your F1, its a convex grind and if you want it to stay that way learn how to properly sharpen it.
Click to expand...

Well to be honest the F1 does have a micro bevel ( All Fallkniven do ) And Fallkniven (Don't know if they still do) does have a sharpening tutorial on how to sharpen the knife and keeping the micro bevel.
and the micro bevel ain't so micro either ;) a far cry from zero grind convex at any rate.
 
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