Strop compound

[Hengelo_77]

What compound is best used on a leather strop?

 

[howiesatwork]

There are a few you can use. Jewelers Rouge (iron oxide). chromium oxide,, cerium oxide, and tin oxide. I like tin oxide, as it's not messy, cleans easily, and I think gives the finest finish.

 

[Hengelo_77]

Should one pick the finest 'gritt' possible?
(one micron for example)

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

One micron is 14,000 grit. you can get compounds up to 100,000 grit (1/4 micron). The important thing in a stropping agent is that it cut/polish well.I like yellow and orange compounds.I have been using the blue platinum polishing compound at work and am going to try it on knife blades soon.
Many people just use the green compound (chrome),or white compound (tin) that they polish with.Most any final polish compound will work.The other thing to remember is that stropping is a finishing process to remove the wire and polish the edge.If the edge isn't completely sharp you are not ready to strop.Stropping for too long time can produce a duller edge.
Stacy

 

[Hengelo_77]

Thnx!
So if I understand well, it doesn't matter what compound you use as long as you use it right?

 

[Mace]

I use no compounds on my strop.
Just my 2 cents.
Mace