Possible to dull knife stropping?

[jlamb]

I have just started stropping, got the right stuff. I watched some vids on youtube.....I typically use the sharpmaker then strop. I feel like the knife is sharper off the sharpmaker then once I use the stop, it seems like I make it duller. Is this possible??? Thanks

 

[kreole]

If you aren't keeping the angle constant it can do it. Another reason for it to dull is if you're pressing down too hard.

 

[FlaMtnBkr]

What steel are you using and what are you using to strop with? If you have a hard steel and a not as hard compound it has been my experience that it is pretty easy to dull a knife. Probably has to do with my lack of ability. So a good stainless steel using green chromium oxide I do not have any luck and it seems like I make it more dull. But now using good diamond spray and even the hardest of the super steels gives great results. Those diamonds don't play around and they do their job with authority.

Of course there is also the difference in how a toothy edge and a polished edge cuts and how these differences could explain a perceived dullness.

 

[jlamb]

What steel are you using and what are you using to strop with? If you have a hard steel and a not as hard compound it has been my experience that it is pretty easy to dull a knife. Probably has to do with my lack of ability. So a good stainless steel using green chromium oxide I do not have any luck and it seems like I make it more dull. But now using good diamond spray and even the hardest of the super steels gives great results. Those diamonds don't play around and they do their job with authority.

Of course there is also the difference in how a toothy edge and a polished edge cuts and how these differences could explain a perceived dullness.

I was sharpening a ss delica vg10. I am using a leather strop (great buy from mr.blue2) and the green compound from Lee Valley. I am just wondering if what you said about "perceived sharpness" is the problem. Maybe I am just used to that toothy feel and in reality it is actually sharper. Not sure, I will keep experimenting, thanks for the help.

 

[awad]

definitely watch your pressure. like kreole said. it the same thing happens to me if i strop too hard. don't push down as hard and see what happens

 

[mqqn]

Hi jlamb -

Yes, you can dull an otherwise sharp blade with a strop as others have alluded to.

What I think I have learned (still learning the technique myself) is only use the weight of the knife blade or VERY slightly more when stropping.

I also only have to do about 5-7 passes on each side on the strop very lightly when I am done on the extra fine diamond stone.

best regards -

mqqn

 

[BryFry]

I was sharpening a ss delica vg10. I am using a leather strop (great buy from mr.blue2) and the green compound from Lee Valley. I am just wondering if what you said about "perceived sharpness" is the problem. Maybe I am just used to that toothy feel and in reality it is actually sharper. Not sure, I will keep experimenting, thanks for the help.

Instead of feeling the edge with your finger or thumb, try shaving hair before and after the stropping. The pollished stropped edge should be popping off hairs better, even if it doesn't feel as sharp to the touch.

 

[Davor]

I'm glad you posted this. I just bought the Spyderco sharpmaker and was now looking for a strop.
I'm just now becoming a big fan of fixed knives and I was wondering if anyone can comment if the sharpmaker is a good product for those knives, i.e., INFI and A2 steel.