Portable strop recommendations.

pjwoolw said:
That Brommeland piece, unloaded, looks darn good I don't have one but I'd give it series consideration. BRKT black and white compound to go with it would be a good combination in the field.
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I opted for a larger version, 8x3 I think...it's the perfect size for me. Large enough to use as a benchstrop, but small enough that I can easily throw it in my pack...I don't need a 7" handle to hold onto and taking up more space in my pack which you see on most online strops.

I've been using it for couple months now extensively maintaining my knives and it's holding up great.
 
Beats the hell outta me why folks will thow big money after something that should cost almost nothing...
Of course, $20 isn't really 'big' money, but it's the principle of the thing. A substrate for compound should be almost free!
Used bare, I can understand it. Used with compound... nope.

Stitchawl
 
stitchawl said:
Go to your local shoe repair shop and ask to buy one leather sole. For just a couple of dollars you'll have a small, pocket-sized (cut it to a rectangular shape if you need to) hard leather substrate that will work as good or better than anything you can buy that is sold as a pocket strop. Sole leather is cut from the back of the shoulder of the cow, and is the most dense, firm part of the leather. Exactly what is needed for a portable strop. If you want to make it even better, follow the directions I've given previously for 'casing' the leather for a perfect strop.


Stitchawl
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Thank you. I really like this idea!
 
stitchawl said:
Beats the hell outta me why folks will thow big money after something that should cost almost nothing...
Of course, $20 isn't really 'big' money, but it's the principle of the thing. A substrate for compound should be almost free!
Used bare, I can understand it. Used with compound... nope.

Stitchawl
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I don't understand what you are trying to say.

Can you please explain?

This is a sincere request.
 
LimuHead said:
I don't understand what you are trying to say.

Can you please explain?

This is a sincere request.
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He don't know why people wanna buy a strop and use it with compound instead of throwing compound on newspaper or cardboard or Other surface...it's not like a leather strop will hold compound for a very long time before needing reapplied. He'd rather waste money on compound by putting it on any other surface that likely won't hold said compound very long or is disposable.
 
Bobby3326 said:
He don't know why people wanna buy a strop and use it with compound instead of throwing compound on newspaper or cardboard or Other surface...it's not like a leather strop will hold compound for a very long time before needing reapplied. He'd rather waste money on compound by putting it on any other surface that likely won't hold said compound very long or is disposable.
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^ This.
A dollar bill works great for an improvised ministrop, just put it over something with no give. Is also tough enough that you can wipe it down with a rag or paper towel and re-apply when it gets loaded up.

If its for camping/outdoor use mostly, you can just apply it to smooth tree bark.
 
The ERU is not free, if your looking for a free strop. If your desire is a fully adjustable, precision tool that fits in the palm of your hand, adjust in 1 degree increment [accurately] Then get one of these for your travel pack.

There's a big difference between running the edge of your blade across a coffee cup rim and stropping with a precision device.

Its always fascinated me; a hunter will spend a thousand dollars on a gun and then buy their skinning knife at Wal Mart and wonder why the tip snaps off. :)

DSC02296-001.JPG
 
If you are using leather as a substrate for compounds, it's in your best interests to have a dense, flat, and firm piece. There is no need for anything fancy. The substrate under compound is just that.... Something to hold the compound. As said by others, it can be a paint stick, cardboard, an old piece of scrap lumber, or just a piece of paper. It's the compound that is doing the work. However, if you are using the leather bare, then the type and processing of the leather WILL play a significant role in the outcome. And even there, you will have difficulty finding a knife supply company that will tell you that their strop leather has been correctly processed. I wrote to one that actually spent some time talking about their leather, asking them how they processed the leather for their strops, and the reply was "we cut it to size and glue it carefully to a hand-made maple paddle that has been carefully sanded, stained, and given a coat of polyurethane to make it feel comfortable in the hand, and last for years!" In other words, they did nothing to make this a strop, but still charge lots of money for it!
 
stitchawl said:
If you are using leather as a substrate for compounds, it's in your best interests to have a dense, flat, and firm piece. There is no need for anything fancy. The substrate under compound is just that.... Something to hold the compound. As said by others, it can be a paint stick, cardboard, an old piece of scrap lumber, or just a piece of paper. It's the compound that is doing the work. However, if you are using the leather bare, then the type and processing of the leather WILL play a significant role in the outcome. And even there, you will have difficulty finding a knife supply company that will tell you that their strop leather has been correctly processed. I wrote to one that actually spent some time talking about their leather, asking them how they processed the leather for their strops, and the reply was "we cut it to size and glue it carefully to a hand-made maple paddle that has been carefully sanded, stained, and given a coat of polyurethane to make it feel comfortable in the hand, and last for years!" In other words, they did nothing to make this a strop, but still charge lots of money for it!
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Thanks for the clarification!

What type of processing should I look for in a bare strop?
 
LimuHead said:
Thank you! I'll check that place out. I'm a musician and only go into SF for gigs, but I have a gig in South San Fran in about 2 week. I'll check this place out then. Again, thank you!
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Yea! I'd post a photo but I'm up north this week. The guy who owns it used to cook on the line with me here in SF. One of the most talented cooks I've ever worked with and now he's making knives too! His leather diamond paste treated strops are it though!
 
JR88FAN said:
If you wear a good leather belt, then you have a good portable strop....
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:thumbup: :thumbup:
I do.

Best kind of 'portable' there is, when you can actually wear it and put it on every morning without even thinking about it. :D


David
 
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