recommend new strop

D

d.weglarz13

Joined
Jun 4, 2008
Messages
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Ok there seems to be a lot of good guys making some nice strops out there, and since I don't feel like making another one, and ordering compound, leather,etc..., I think I will buy a decent one.
StropMan, Flexxx strops, KnivesShipFree strop block, Bark river(again?).....so many to choose from.

So, please, tell me your suggestions, as I would like to hear your opinions on the best of those listed(or any Im forgetting). Thanks for your help. Right now Im leaning towards the StropMan large strop with his Green/white compound, but tell me your thoughts please, before I place the order.

Dave
 
StopMan makes a great product, well made and good prices-- run a search for "strops" and you'll get plenty of advice.
 
Chef knives to go has Kangaroo.
If you're not going to use any compound, I would recommend a "Russian" leather barber strop from Illinois Strop Co. Available at most barber supply houses.. Just lay it on a flat surface and strop away. (They're NOT cheap, but worth it)

If I was only going to use one strop, it would be a 3X9 kangaroo glued to float glass and doped with 1 micron CBN.
 
I would recommend Stropman, I have his HD strop with black and white compounds and I love it! Couldn't be happier!

God bless!
The Kid
 
d.weglarz13 said:
Ok there seems to be a lot of good guys making some nice strops out there, and since I don't feel like making another one, and ordering compound, leather,etc..., I think I will buy a decent one.
StropMan, Flexxx strops, KnivesShipFree strop block, Bark river(again?).....so many to choose from.

So, please, tell me your suggestions, as I would like to hear your opinions on the best of those listed(or any Im forgetting). Thanks for your help. Right now Im leaning towards the StropMan large strop with his Green/white compound, but tell me your thoughts please, before I place the order.

Dave
Click to expand...

A little outside your search parameters maybe, but the Washboard strop I make works very well for finish and maintenance - can do a lot more work than most if not all conventional strops, and is easily customized. There's a link to the sale thread in my signature, I think you'll find it pretty interesting.

Martin
 
great, I will check that out.
I do plan on using compound, so not sure about that Kangaroo, but definitely a possibility.

I am going for more of a harder surface of the leather, not soft if possible. I get great results using the JRE strop bat I used to have, which had pretty hard leather. But, time for a new one.

Thanks so far!

dave
 
d.weglarz13 said:
great, I will check that out.
I do plan on using compound, so not sure about that Kangaroo, but definitely a possibility.

I am going for more of a harder surface of the leather, not soft if possible. I get great results using the JRE strop bat I used to have, which had pretty hard leather. But, time for a new one.

Thanks so far!

dave
Click to expand...

Dave, if you're looking for more of a hard surface, then its definitely worth a look. I have a series of micrographs in the thread that show what its capable of just being used as a finish/maintenance strop, with very little fuss and a large margin of error. With a bit of familiarity its possible to whip up very keep edges in very short order, and keep them that way. The fact it can be used with wet/dry and lapping film just adds functionality.

Good luck with whichever you choose!
Martin
 
HeavyHanded said:
A little outside your search parameters maybe, but the Washboard strop I make works very well for finish and maintenance - can do a lot more work than most if not all conventional strops, and is easily customized. There's a link to the sale thread in my signature, I think you'll find it pretty interesting.

Martin
Click to expand...
Hey d.weglarz , I 2nd that checking out the Washboard . Here is a pic of a edge I put on a knife with nothing but the Washboard , 400* Rhinowet sandpaper , printer paper and the stropping compound that Martin makes.
12708869555_3a6d4f9025_c.jpg

I could have spent more time and made it more pretty but it was shaving at this point.
 
Wow, just checked out a couple vids of the washboard system. Haven't been around much lately, but I must admit I haven't heard about it until now. I will be looking a bit more into it, but I am used to a good stiff leather, so might stick with that for now. Thanks though, definitely another possibility.

dave
 
flatblackcapo said:
Hey d.weglarz , I 2nd that checking out the Washboard . Here is a pic of a edge I put on a knife with nothing but the Washboard , 400* Rhinowet sandpaper , printer paper and the stropping compound that Martin makes.
12708869555_3a6d4f9025_c.jpg

I could have spent more time and made it more pretty but it was shaving at this point.
Click to expand...

You do a fantastic job on your knives - the pattern and finish on that one is sweet! Stupid question maybe, but is the micarta made by hand as well?


Martin
 
I always hit thrift stores up for old leather belts. Maybe I'm not as advanced of a stropper as I thought I was. LOL.
 
d.weglarz13 said:
Wow, just checked out a couple vids of the washboard system. Haven't been around much lately, but I must admit I haven't heard about it until now. I will be looking a bit more into it, but I am used to a good stiff leather, so might stick with that for now. Thanks though, definitely another possibility.

dave
Click to expand...

Dave, I've been selling them for about 6 months, and only on the Forum and word of mouth so far, no surprise you haven't heard about it. Am planning on a website and some local consignment in the Spring/Summer so I can help more escape my workshop. I've sold enough of them you'd likely get some good feedback if you posed an open question on the forum.

Thanks for checking out some of the videos.

Martin
 
HeavyHanded said:
You do a fantastic job on your knives - the pattern and finish on that one is sweet! Stupid question maybe, but is the micarta made by hand as well?


Martin
Click to expand...
Thanks for the complement ,Martin. The scales on this one are TeroTuff . I do not make the material I just shape them. If you have not tried Terotuff I would recommend that you do. Think of it as canvas micarta with a little more grip.
 
I don't have any pictures as evidence, but I can also 2nd HH's washboard. I bought one a while back because I was having consistency issues on stones and needed the extra feedback. I have gotten great results so far and I'm sure I will keep improving with some more practice. But the edge I get off of the green compound surprises me every time. I'm not sure how much weight and amateurs word carries, but definitely do some looking in on the washboard.
 
I use a Bark River strop. The leather seems very coarse and grainy compared to others, but it works very well.
 
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