should i use compound on a razor strop?

D

dalr753

Joined
Jan 5, 2012
Messages
77
I just bought an Illinois #827 russian strop. I was wondering if I should use a compound (such as dmt 0.5 micron sparay) or use it plain.
its main use will be as a knife strop not a razor.
the description says that the canvas side is impregnated with aluminum oxide so maybe on that side if a need it to cut faster?
 
The canvas strop has it so I wouldn't use it. Try that first. You can always add it later. DM
 
The bare leather will clean up the apex after the aluminum oxide loaded canvas.
Adding 0.5 micron diamond to the leather will speed up the process.
 
Nooooooooooo!!!

That leather does wonderful things to the edge just how it is.
 
dalr, I've been to Sandpoint. A very pretty place. In my experience a plain leather strop does little to a basic stainless knife's edge without some grit added. Even then, with it, the improvement is slow. Still try the canvas it may surprise you. DM
 
The whole reason for using a Russian Leather razor strop is that the leather has been processed to be wonderfully effective all by itself. In fact, you PAID EXTRA for that treatment. Putting compound over it makes no sense at all.

Adding compound to it would be like the crazy Olympic star who was so proud of his Gold Medal he had it bronzed....
Have you ever heard the expression 'gilding the Lilly?'

Do NOT cover up Russian leather. ("Russian" isn't about the country... It's the process.)


Stitchawl
 
In part, your answer will depend on whether you see this strop as a tool to be used or a valuable item to be preserved.

Personally, I would not put aluminum oxide (metal polish) on the linen component of "proper" razor strop. I use strips of denim, taped to the edge of my bench, and after a few hundred laps, when they are shiny and black, I make a new one. The linen/canvas on the OP's strop is ideal for cleaning the edge and will last a very long time if used for that purpose.

I have bought and made many leather strops and have applied a wide variety of abrasives to them. These are not valuable strops.

I have a couple of expensive razor strops that i use only for straight razors, I would not put compound on them.
 
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