Sharpening Question

[OutdoorsFamilyMan4]

Are leather strops only for convex edges? I have a Norton combo medium/india stone. I can get a pretty sharp edge with this and wanted to just hone it a little more. I am afraid to go to convex because I dont wanna roll the edge and ruin my only decent knife. I am looking at two different strops. Am I allowed to post links to them?

 

[EK20]

I strop my FFG knives and they only get sharper. I say strop away. :thumbup:

 

[OutdoorsFamilyMan4]

Which of these would be better?
http://www.the-knife-connection.com/tkc-stropstickkit-sheath.html
or
http://www.dlttrading.com/leather-bench-strop.html

 

[daizee]

I use a stone and maintain V-edges in general, but I strop them gently on a small abrasive pad. That gets 'em hair-splitting sharp and is good for maintenance. Eventually I throw 'em on the stone again. But if you're just lightly stropping with light pressure and a very fine compound you won't convex the profile - really you're just polishing the shoulder and the edge itself.

 

[tincansurvival]

Before investing money in a strop system, I would suggest grabbing and old leather belt and some cheap-o knives. Get used to working with that, and then see if you want to move on. I bought a small paddle strop off the evil-bay, and it came with some compound. I stropped everything I could get my hands on, and this has since become my go to strop, I even pack it with me when I'm bush-bumming! However, I have heard nothing bad about the Bark River Leather Bench Strop. If you aren't set on those, you might use some Google-fu to find a strop + compound cheaper than the TKC.

 

[Saymon]

Im my knive i moved convex, and the cutting capacity lasts longer.

 

[EK20]

Which of these would be better?
http://www.the-knife-connection.com/tkc-stropstickkit-sheath.html
or
http://www.dlttrading.com/leather-bench-strop.html

I have, use, and love the TKC strop. I can recommend it 100%. The other one I couldn't say one way or the other.

Also, it was my first strop, and it is very easy to use.

 

[brady.kevin07]

I dont wanna roll the edge and ruin my only decent knife

Why are you concerned with this? A convex is a very strong and tough grind. I could understand if it were a hollow or zero ground blade.

 

[OutdoorsFamilyMan4]

Why are you concerned with this? A convex is a very strong and tough grind. I could understand if it were a hollow or zero ground blade.

Ive heard horror stories about people who tried to convex their knife,not knowing what they were doing, and rolled the edge. They had to get it re-profiled (i think thats what its called)

 

[brady.kevin07]

Ive heard horror stories about people who tried to convex their knife,not knowing what they were doing, and rolled the edge. They had to get it re-profiled (i think thats what its called)

I see what your saying now I thought you meant something else. Just stropping your knife won't cause that to happen. The strop will just hone the edge even finer and you will end up with a more refined and sharper edge then just your stones will allow you to acheive.

 

[CamH_16]

Ive heard horror stories about people who tried to convex their knife,not knowing what they were doing, and rolled the edge. They had to get it re-profiled (i think thats what its called)

Yeah, it happened to my BK-14...Still havent been able to restore it completely (Its sharp now but not as sharp as I'd like it).

Also, to answer your question; no you won’t roll your edge on a strop so long as you’re not using to rough a compound, not pressing to hard or at too steep and angle.