Polish Tapes or Leather Strop

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ricklee4570

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Aug 12, 2010
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I thought I would throw this out there to those of you who mirror polish your edges.

Which gives you better results, polish tapes or leather strops? I have some 6000 grit polish tapes from Edge Pro as well as leather hones from Wicked Edge with various grit diamond paste.
 
I don't think that it matters much until the final step. I've found stropping with leather and compound is more forgiving than the tapes if your sharpening is not very precise. The leather will wrap around those imperfections somewhat. The tapes are good for showing problem areas on a blade edge while you're learning to sharpen. The leather holds diamonds exceptionally well. I use the spray and must confess that I've never tried the paste. So I don't know how it dries or holds to any medium.

The aluminum oxide on the tapes cuts differently than diamond. This is something you have to have a microscope to see, but you can still feel it. The diamond tears at the steel more and produces a "harsher" edge. I like that in a kitchen knife, but not so much in a razor.

Try Nexcare medical tape on a tape blank and load it with some chromium oxide paste (or other preferred compound). It's cheaper than the tapes and leather ultimately.
 
What about mounting the polish tapes to the leather hones. You would have a "softer" backing that might not only help the polishing effect but also create a more convex final edge.
 
ricklee4570 said:
What about mounting the polish tapes to the leather hones. You would have a "softer" backing that might not only help the polishing effect but also create a more convex final edge.
Click to expand...

I'd say that if you are getting convexed edges from your leather strops that either you are using waaaaaay too much pressure or some verrrrrrry soft leather, :eek: unless you are talking about a free hanging strop or very thin leather sitting on a mouse pad. A good strop should be firm enough to support a beveled edge without rounding it.

Unless, of course, that is your desired result. :D


Stitchawl
 
The tapes are a finer finish than the Wicked Edge leather paste, if that's what you're asking. I think someone here (leomitch?) mounted them on top of the leather and said it worked fine.

cbw
 
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