One strop question.

[Uncle Timbo]

I have researched and researched....when making a strop do you glue the smooth side or the fuzzy side up? It seems to be a toss-up! I will be stropping nice folding blades that I try to not let get too dull. I'm thinking the smooth side but I'd like to ask the experts.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I always use the smooth side.
Stacy

 

[ss Dragonfly]

Yes Sir Smooth side is best. As I see it the unfinished side actually collects too much polishing compound, resulting in an uneven polishing surface. My best results have come from smooth side up, slow deliberate motion, with light pressure, as if on a whet stone but edge trailing. Precision is better than more strokes. Lately I have been using Sears' blue polishing compound and I think it works well.

Hope this helps, Shane

 

[madborderman07]

i think smooth side is the way to go my friend!!!

 

[StretchNM]

I usually take a board and glue one side smooth-side up and the other rough-side up. I use the smooth side 99.9% of the time.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

Thank you all very much. My gut feeling was correct but you have explained it in a way that I could not.

 

[Broos]

I glued mine on smooth side out, also. But after I had used them for a while, I had put some cuts in my strops. Took a sander and sanded them until the cuts were taken away(leaving them a little rough), and reapplied my compound/diamond paste. After some use I think the finish of the strop is just as it was before I sanded it (it darkened and got a glossy smooth finish).

 

[Zeasor]

Both sides will work but the smooth side is best. It presents the most even surface for holding compound. The rough side allows more of the compound to become buried and unavailable. The blade will never touch the buried compound. Smooth side up. :thumbup: