strop maintanence

[joebobx]

So I got a strop today. Man is it the sweetest thing I own!!!!!!!!! Question though first of all. How much compound do I apply?? How often to apply and how can you tell?? Do I ever need to clean old compound off??? And is there anything I else I need to know about my strop except its totally kicks ass. Thanks ahead of time, Joe

 

[Jason B.]

Not much compound is needed, just enough to lightly coat the surface. What compound are you using? Usually when the compound gets loaded with metal (turns black) its time to clean and re-coat but again this depends alot on the compound being used. Don't use water when cleaning it will make the leather hard, use some sort of orange cleaner without abrasive.

 

[joebobx]

what about if the compound is black?? I'm using bark river green and black compound

 

[Liam Ryan]

You should be able to tell if the black compound is done, it becomes sort of shiny instead of dull, and the leather looks compressed. You will feel the knife slides over it too easily, instead of the "stickier" fresh compound.