Power stropping and oil beading....

desmobob

desmobob

Joined
May 5, 2003
Messages
2,493
I recently bought a Surgi-sharp leather belt for my 1"x30" Harbor Freight belt sander. I love it! :D

I noticed something unusual: after power-stropping, when I wipe down the blade with BreakFree CLP, the oil beads up in very tiny beads on the bevel, while smoothly coating the rest.

Does anyone know why this is? Just curious....

Thanks,
desmobob
 
Might be the tanning on the leather coming off on the bevel ... probably water-based. Oil and water don't mix, as I'm sure you know quite well.

Just my guess.
 
I recently tried using "White Buffing Rouge" on a leather strop, but was'nt impressed. It shined the edge nicely, but it was'nt any sharper. Any suggestions?
 
ALAN24 said:
I recently tried using "White Buffing Rouge" on a leather strop, but was'nt impressed. It shined the edge nicely, but it was'nt any sharper. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

I use a solid felt wheel on the buff one with green compound and one with white ,the felt is mildly abrasive on its own and the compound works great,make sure you clean them before you use them ,wire brush works well.
 
Hard to tell, but you might try a shallower angle. Leather can fool you into rounding the edge.

Just my 2 cents.

ALAN24 said:
I recently tried using "White Buffing Rouge" on a leather strop, but was'nt impressed. It shined the edge nicely, but it was'nt any sharper. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
 
I recently got one of the HR 1x30's and Surgi-sharp belts and noticed the same thing happening when I wipe the blade down afterwards with gun oil. I'm thinking that it's because some of the white stropping compound is still on the blade.
Just watch when you strop with that leather belt; go with as shallow an angle as you can...I've dulled a couple of blades with that thing, until the light bulb between my ears lit up. :)
 
desmobob said:
I recently bought a Surgi-sharp leather belt for my 1"x30" Harbor Freight belt sander. I love it! :D

I noticed something unusual: after power-stropping, when I wipe down the blade with BreakFree CLP, the oil beads up in very tiny beads on the bevel, while smoothly coating the rest.

Does anyone know why this is? Just curious....
Click to expand...

I think I found out why oil beads on the stropped edge....

I looked at the MSDS for the stropping compounds I use. The ingredients are the abrasive, and TALLOW -- animal fat. So, the blade is getting a nice heated-up application of tallow; it's already greased up!

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
Folks , if I may and , I mean no offense.

Please use caution if you plan to use an electrical wheel or belt type device when sharpening or stropping your blades.
I would hate to hear of a fellow knife enthusiast that is minus a finger , hand or eyeball.
I would also be cautious as to how hot that edge gets when using said devices. :)
 
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