Strop question.

tarmix101

tarmix101

Joined
Jun 14, 2005
Messages
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I've been using one strop loaded with flex cut gold for several weeks now and noticed it is overtaken with compound, and metal shavings.

Should I be dressing/cleaning my strop with something before I charge it with compound, or just leave it the way it is?

Pic of the type of strop I'm using:

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When your strop gets really nasty looking, clean your strop leather with Goop or any one of the Citrous type hand cleaners with lanolin in it (lanolin reconditions the leather as the cleaner cleans the leather). I usually clean my strop when the compound turns black. Remember, you don't have to apply massive amounts of compound to the leather for it to be effective. Apply it like a crayon sparingly and rub it into the leather until none remains on the surface. Continue to add compound until it can't be rubbed into the leather without leaving excess material left on the surface. Wipe off the excess with a soft cotton rag. I usually wipe off the strop with a rag if patches of black remain after I'm done stropping, then refresh the strop with a little compound (like described previously) afterwards. Hope this helps.

NJ
 
HAND CLEANER: Make certain you don't use one that has an abrasive (like pumice) in it. That will contaminate your strop.
 
Gojo works pretty good. But since I usually will put some nicks & cuts in my strops with some use, I use a power sander to "clean" and smooth them. Yes it does take the original smooth surface off, but by the time I reapply CrO2 & diamond paste, I cannot tell any difference in the surface. And it removes cuts, nicks, and the shallower gouges in the leather. I did it first when I put a nice cut in one, liked the results, and have done it ever since. If you get some cuts in it over time, give it a try.
 
Thanks guys. I think I have been using too much compound to start. I appreciate the advise. :thumbup:
 
Broos said:
Gojo works pretty good. But since I usually will put some nicks & cuts in my strops with some use, I use a power sander to "clean" and smooth them. Yes it does take the original smooth surface off, but by the time I reapply CrO2 & diamond paste, I cannot tell any difference in the surface. And it removes cuts, nicks, and the shallower gouges in the leather. I did it first when I put a nice cut in one, liked the results, and have done it ever since. If you get some cuts in it over time, give it a try.
Click to expand...

what grit do you use and what type of sander?
 
Native Justice said:
When your strop gets really nasty looking, clean your strop leather with Goop or any one of the Citrous type hand cleaners with lanolin in it (lanolin reconditions the leather as the cleaner cleans the leather). I usually clean my strop when the compound turns black. Remember, you don't have to apply massive amounts of compound to the leather for it to be effective. Apply it like a crayon sparingly and rub it into the leather until none remains on the surface. Continue to add compound until it can't be rubbed into the leather without leaving excess material left on the surface. Wipe off the excess with a soft cotton rag. I usually wipe off the strop with a rag if patches of black remain after I'm done stropping, then refresh the strop with a little compound (like described previously) afterwards. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

I'm using the green Veritas Honing Compound (stick/block), but can't seem to get it onto the strop smoothly. I'm using a pretty heavy strip of leather (1/8" thick) that I picked up at Tandy. There will be places that don't appear to hold much compound and others where excess builds up. I've tried wiping off the excess with a paper towel, but it is pretty well attached and only seems to come off with encouragement from a fingernail. It definitely doesn't allow itself to be "smoothed" or "spread" around. Should I consider heat or mineral oil or WD-40?

I'm not sure where I read it, but I remember someone saying that they start with a clean strop and lay a strip of compound down the middle (parallel to the blade) and then strop across it. Anyone tried that? Thoughts?
 
I use mineral oil. Rub the compound on the strop. Put some mineral oil on your finger and spread it around, repeat. The compound will liquefy a little allowing you to spread a nice thin coating over the strop. I usually set the strop aside for awhile before using it. If I remember I'll prep it after use and that way it gets plenty of time to dry out before it's next use.
 
I use WD-40 to apply and remove the Green compound. I've seen no degradation of the leather, yet. My Green compound is a block about 2-1/2"x2"x1" and spreads on like butta!
 
A few days ago after not being able to apply the stick form of CrO2 evenly to my leather even after sanding I tried the wd40. It liquifies the block of CrO2 and it spreads very nicely over the leather. I'll have to try the mineral oil if that works as good. I use that on my wood cutting board anyway.
 
Well I tried mineral oil to help spread the CrO2 and it was better at removing the compound. I had a hard time applying the compound. I apply a little to the leather and then tried to apply a little to the compound stick. No luck in getting a smooth even application.
 
I've found the best way is to start with a clean piece of leather, non-oiled or gooped, then lightly sand the surface of the leather. Use a block so you keep the surface even. Then lightly crayon the compound on.

When the compound gets too black or gets to shiny, I scrape the compound off with the back of a blade or with a paint scraper. If necessary (it usually isn't), lightly sand again and reapply the compound.
 
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