New use for a Strop Block

[Magnaminous_G]

I've been a big advocate of the KnivesPlus Strop Block in the past, and it was previously a big part of my sharpening routine until I began using water stones and doing more stone work. It has been sitting in my closet for several months, untouched up until today. I EDC a Buck Custom Knife Shop 501 in S30V, and today I noticed that it wasn't quite up to snuff... still very sharp, but not what it was a month ago or so. So, I decided to bring the edge back with the Strop Block. I haven't used a loaded strop in quite a while, but I felt that the Strop Block would do what I wanted it to do. Just a few minutes of work, a little judicious, light stropping on the Strop Block, washed the blade, and finished with a few light strokes on the plain 'roo leather. Voila, a scary sharp, nice edge with a nice amount of bite. Very happy. I think this is how I'm going to touch up my EDC from now.

 

[stitchawl]

A strop is all I normally use on my EDCs. 2-3 times a year I'll put them on the EdgePro, but otherwise, if I've used it that day, it gets stropped that evening. If I've used it HARD that day, I'll use a strop with Chromium Oxide on it, 10-20 strokes, followed by a bare horsehide strop for the same. If just some string, envelopes, maybe a box or two, just the bare horsehide.


Stitchawl

 

[FlaMtnBkr]

I'm a little confused. Isn't that what a strop is supposed to be used for? How is that a new use for you?

 

[OHALLUM]

I don't use my EDC knives that often, but when I do, I give them a touch-up on the slotted paper wheel to bring them back to razor sharp. On my kitchen knives, I use a steel on them until they need more work, then touch them up on the sharpener, and then strop on the slotted wheel.

Omar

 

[Magnaminous_G]

I'm a little confused. Isn't that what a strop is supposed to be used for? How is that a new use for you?

I mean I used to use it as part of my regular sharpening routine before I got into water stones and deburring on the stones. I used to stop on the stones before the edge was fully clean, usually with lots of little burr on it. The Strop Block would take care of the imperfections that were really due to my poor technique. But I've since been working on improving my stone work to get the edge as clean and burr free off the stones as possible. That way, you can move straight to bare leather and get a really beautiful edge. But if the edge isn't good, the leather won't help as much, so this technique forces you to improve your stone work.

Since I've been doing that, the Strop Block has been left alone in the closet. But then last night I realized that it's a quick and easy way to bring back an edge I've already keened up.

 

[jwolf90]

I have the KnivesPlus Strop and it's def a keeper but lately I've been using .5u Hand American Dia Spray on a Roo strop for the EP, The bite that diamonds leaves is incredible. I've also found that spending more time on my stones getting a clean burr free edge before I strop makes a huge difference:thumbup: