Make a leather strop

knifenut1013 said:
I've recently had the chance to sample some new HA products and as usual its good stuff. The 1 micron Boron carbide specifically is awesome and great for a final finish, I highly recommend it.
Click to expand...

Keith was selling that stuff 15 years ago when he first began. I still have two jars of the stuff. Works very well indeed.


Stitchawl
 
I had a jar of that too but seem to remember it being labeled 1.8 microns.

I threw it away when it dried up :(

Its a liquid now :)
 
knifenut1013 said:
I had a jar of that too but seem to remember it being labeled 1.8 microns.
I threw it away when it dried up :(
Its a liquid now :)
Click to expand...

I just dug into the back of the compound drawer to see what was left...

I think the 1.8 micron stuff was 'Black Diamond.' At least that what my jars say. Don't have any of the Boron left though I seem to remember it, but the Black Diamond is 1 full jar and 3/4 of the other jar still full after 15 years of use. Stuff goes a looong way.

I've also got a couple of new jars and some almost full jars of 2.5 mic silicon carbide and 6 mic silicon carbide, also from back in the day. Those jars are a paste form, a bit softer than the bars but not soft enough to squish when I press my thumb into them. The one full and one half full bottles of liquid CrO2 (both about 8oz bottles) are about as thick as whipping cream. Green whipping cream. I guess I must have bought every type of compound HA was selling, as well as a lot of compounds from other retailers in my quest for the perfect setup. Theirrs-Issard, Dovo, Reichmann, DMT, and a host of others that are now sitting in the drawers.

At the time I bought them, Keith was recommending using them on some of his leathers, so I bought 2-3 of each of the various leathers he sold too. About 6-8 different types. Then he changed the base of the strops to the magnetic base and I replaced all my strops with mag bottoms! These days he's changed his recommendations, but I've matured into my own sharpening opinions.

I think I may :D have over-bought on my first order thinking I'd use the stuff up quickly. My grandchildren will be able to pass this stuff along to their grand children, and I might use some of the unused strops to turn into billfolds...

Stitchawl
 
knifenut1013 said:
A very sharp knife ;)
Picture507.jpg
Click to expand...

This is the BEST photo of hair whittling that I've ever seen. Great threads - I've read all of them and am waiting, impatiently, for my DMT stones to arrive. I ordered the aligner deluxe along w/ the extra coarse and xx fines. They still haven't shipped yet and it's been a week ... grrr Amazon ... my knives await!
 
Amazon is a bit odd sometimes, I've received items and then received shipping notices so I wouldn't exactly rely on their mail notification.

Thank you, I like that picture too :)

Welcome to BF!
 
I have found this thread to be very helpful but i still read this and do not understand a word. I have so much more to read is not even funny. All the microns, finishing stones, etc is like reading this stuff in Russian lol.
 
ycastane said:
I have found this thread to be very helpful but i still read this and do not understand a word. I have so much more to read is not even funny. All the microns, finishing stones, etc is like reading this stuff in Russian lol.
Click to expand...

Just keep hangin' around and reading. It'll sink in, bit by bit. This is a great place to learn. :thumbsup:

Welcome to the forum! :)
 
Last edited:
I have found this thread to be very helpful but i still read this and do not understand a word. I have so much more to read is not even funny. All the microns, finishing stones, etc is like reading this stuff in Russian lol.


Not to worry, you have company.. :confused:
 
Last edited:
Tandy leather is one place if available to you. Hobby lobby sometimes carries some leather strips. Some of the knife supply houses carry some leather for making strops. Maybe a local hobby shop would have some.

Omar
 
I purchase my leather from woodcraft or chefknivestogo.
 
OHALLUM said:
Tandy leather is one place if available to you. Hobby lobby sometimes carries some leather strips. Some of the knife supply houses carry some leather for making strops. Maybe a local hobby shop would have some.

Omar
Click to expand...

+1 to both of those suggestions. I have leather from both sources named. In fact, for experimenting with different compounds and using differing textures of leather, Hobby Lobby sells (or at least did sell) leather scraps in a 3 lb. bag for about $5-$6, as I recall. Some of it is fairly ugly/rough stuff (I have one piece with a ~7" long surgical scar on it :D ), and some of the 'colored' leather in black/green/etc. probably isn't veg-tanned, but it's still a great 'starter kit' for making some easy, quick strops. Great way to test different compounds, without messing up expensive leather with some compound you may not like. When used with compound, there's not a real need for veg-tanned anyway; any leather will do, so long as the surface is fairly smooth & uniform.

I bought a 5.5 sq. ft. section of ~7 oz. veg-tanned cowhide at Tandy (in a local store) for about $17. That'll make a whole lot of strops; I'll likely never use it all, but it's still a good deal.

When you get to a point where you've found some compounds you know perform well, then you can dedicate a piece of higher-quality leather to it, with no regrets or fears of ruining it.


David
 
I've been looking for some leather like ya talking about. Where can I get me some? I've asked about everyone that I know that either has a Razor Strop or have seen with leather, so far I'm batting ZERO!! Can ya help me out? Joseph Loveland
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top