leather strop question

[jiggyfly16]

i just had to trim the surface of my leather because it was getting cut up and little flaps of leather were sticking up. now, by trimming the surface of the leather will it still polish? It is a Bismarck free hanging strop and I think the surface was treated. I am using the strop without any polishing agent.

 

[Jason B.]

You have removed the layer of skin containing the silicates so most likely its not going to have the same effect anymore. Adding polish compound will be the only fix.

 

[jiggyfly16]

what about the back side of the strop? will that polish at all?

 

[Jason B.]

AFAIK the process the leather goes through brings the silicates to the upper layers of the skin (the side you sanded) so I doubt the back side would work the same.

 

[jiggyfly16]

sigh...maybe I will turn that leather strop into a block (with your how to of course) and get some of that HA spray.

 

[Jason B.]

Probably your best bet.......had to do the same to my hanging strop.

 

[jiggyfly16]

can I use the rough side of the leather for the compound or do I have to use the smooth side?

 

[Jason B.]

Either or but I've always used the smooth side.

 

[jiggyfly16]

my smooth side's sides are starting to curl upwards, will that cause any problems sharpening with a compound?

 

[Jason B.]

Might just be time for a new strop.

 

[jiggyfly16]

true. maybe if I can try to hunt down some of that horse shell