I have just recently started using sandpaper, mousepad and stropping methods. Most video's show applying the compound then using a lighter or candle to load the strop. I was not getting the results I wanted as the compound would be uneven with too much in one spot, not enough in another. I got the idea to use a clothing Iron. This seemed to work great, the compound evened out and I saw an immediate improvement in the sharpening of my knives. I use the green compound on one strop, the black compound on another. Does anyone think this is bad for the leather? If not, just wanted to share this experience as it sure seemed a easy way to load the strop and even out the compound, if it does not damage the leather. It only took a few passes with the Iron. Thoughts anyone?
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Loading a Strop
- Thread starter Super X
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Just wait for Knifenut101 to chime in, hell help you out.
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I've had pretty good luck by first 'crayoning' the compound from the bar onto the strop, in something of an orderly pattern (like stripes diagonally). Then, using a paper towel lightly moistened with some WD-40, wipe the surface of the strop to spread the compound more evenly. The WD-40 will loosen it up just enough to make it more managable, and the paper towel will also collect the excess compound from the surface.
The idea of using the iron (at lowest heat, I assume?) is interesting. I'd think, over time, it might cause some deterioration of the leather (drying out, cracking, etc.). Having said that, many methods can somewhat have the same effect (like WD-40). If you're not too concerned about periodically replacing your leather, I personally wouldn't worry too much about it. I wouldn't use the heat or solvents, etc., with very high quality leather (such as horsehide), but if you're just using veg-tanned cowhide, it's probably not a big deal over the long run.
You've found a method that seems to work for you. In time, you may or may not decide to do it differently. I'd honestly be quite curious myself, to hear from you how this works out, over time.
The idea of using the iron (at lowest heat, I assume?) is interesting. I'd think, over time, it might cause some deterioration of the leather (drying out, cracking, etc.). Having said that, many methods can somewhat have the same effect (like WD-40). If you're not too concerned about periodically replacing your leather, I personally wouldn't worry too much about it. I wouldn't use the heat or solvents, etc., with very high quality leather (such as horsehide), but if you're just using veg-tanned cowhide, it's probably not a big deal over the long run.
You've found a method that seems to work for you. In time, you may or may not decide to do it differently. I'd honestly be quite curious myself, to hear from you how this works out, over time.
As long as the iron isn't too hot there should be very little damage to the leather.
But... if you are getting 'high spots' you are probably using too much compound. It's not like sex where the more you get the better off you are. You only need to see some color on your strop for it to work well. As you've already noticed, a smoother coat works better, so take that one step further and you'll notice that a smooth 'light' coat works best. If you still have difficulties smoothing it out you may wish to use the powdered compounds. Just a light sprinkle over the strop is enough to get the job done.
Stitchawl
But... if you are getting 'high spots' you are probably using too much compound. It's not like sex where the more you get the better off you are. You only need to see some color on your strop for it to work well. As you've already noticed, a smoother coat works better, so take that one step further and you'll notice that a smooth 'light' coat works best. If you still have difficulties smoothing it out you may wish to use the powdered compounds. Just a light sprinkle over the strop is enough to get the job done.
Stitchawl
I tried crayoning, heat, and WD-40. I like to crayon it on...those bars last a long time on a strop...and then wipe down with WD-40 and smooth it all out.
When it is just right, you should be seeing green leather...key in on seeing leather...and as it dries, the green compound should haze over into a flat green surface on the leather. You should be able to see leather just a tiny bit through the layer of hazy green compound. You should be able to feel a little tooth when its dry.
That treatment will last a long time. To freshen up, sometimes just some WD-40 is fine or repeat the crayon treatment. If you green strop is turning black...it's working.
When it is just right, you should be seeing green leather...key in on seeing leather...and as it dries, the green compound should haze over into a flat green surface on the leather. You should be able to see leather just a tiny bit through the layer of hazy green compound. You should be able to feel a little tooth when its dry.
That treatment will last a long time. To freshen up, sometimes just some WD-40 is fine or repeat the crayon treatment. If you green strop is turning black...it's working.
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:thumbup:
This is exactly how I've been doing it. Here's a pic of my strop, after a little bit of use (with one of my favorite knives
):
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The green compound I could crayon it on fairly well as it is much softer. The black was the problem as it's very hard. I heated it with a lighter and got excessive amounts on the strop doing so. When I used the iron, it turned the excessive amounts of compound to a powder, then I was able to wipe off the excess. I was left with a even, sparkling coat of compound like is desired. Thanks for the input guy's :thumbup:
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Another possibility might be to scrape some of the compound into a dish (like Pyrex), and very gently heat it on the stovetop or in the microwave. Some here have done it this way. I've done it with the green compound, mixed with a little mineral oil to help liquify it. When it's warmed up, but not too hot to touch, mix it up a bit with a stir stick/spoon/etc., and 'paint' it onto the strop with your fingers (disposable gloves are perfect for this job). Wipe the excess away with a paper towel.
I think heating it with an iron is a pretty novel idea....I never thought of that and I might try it next time I load my strop.
What I've been doing is to place the strop on the bench under a 100W lightbulb I have in a lamp. The leather will warm after a few minutes and I lay the compound block next to it so it's warm too. Then, after loading the strop, I put it back under the lamp for a few minutes before rubbing out any high spots with a shop towel.
I have heard of, but never tried, the WD40 method.
What I've been doing is to place the strop on the bench under a 100W lightbulb I have in a lamp. The leather will warm after a few minutes and I lay the compound block next to it so it's warm too. Then, after loading the strop, I put it back under the lamp for a few minutes before rubbing out any high spots with a shop towel.
I have heard of, but never tried, the WD40 method.
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I've sort of settled into the 'crayon' method, using the WD-40 with a paper towel, because it's about the quickest & most convenient I've tried, so far, with minimal mess. Works perfectly for cleaning up the strop too, done exactly the same way. Wipe it down with paper towel moistened with the WD-40; it removes the majority of the dirty stuff. Let the leather dry, then lightly sand it with medium grit paper. Crayon on the fresh compound, then spread it around with the WD-40 on another paper towel.
All this discussion has reminded me, it's about time to freshen up the strop again.
My son used some WD-40 on his strop with the green compound. It seemed to make the leather softer with a different texture. It's all the same leather as I made them from some leather I ordered specifically, made for strops. There seems to be several ways to load them from the input I am seeing here.
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The WD-40 does leave a little bit of mineral oil behind (it's a mix of solvent and mineral oil, more or less). The solvent evaporates quickly. Depending on the amount used, the remaining oil could soften the leather to greater or lesser degree. Some people might actually prefer that, and some not. This is mainly the reason I use it sparingly, applied with a paper towel.
One of the things I'd tried in the past, was to make a 'paste' of compound mixed in WD-40. I scraped some of the compound into a pyrex dish, then added some WD-40 to liquify it. Mixed it up a bit to break down the clumps, then 'painted' it onto the leather with my fingers. This method worked fantastic, in terms of evening the spread of compound on the leather. The downside was, since the 'base' of my liquified compound was WD-40, it did leave the leather considerably softer over the long run. And the leather was also considerably more 'fragrant' from the WD-40. I'm still a bit 'on the fence' as to whether I like it softer or not. The leather I used at that time was a bit thicker than what I'm using now, so that made it seem all the more softer. I was a little bit concerned about rounding my edge on the strop. This method might work a little better with a thinner piece of leather. I might re-visit the experiment to see whether it could be 'tweaked' a little, to improve the finished result.