Strop questions.

Fletch Helical

Fletch Helical

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Sep 29, 2009
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So I'm considering getting a strop for finishing up the edges on any knives that I may (at some point) finish. From what I can gather they're a great way to finish a knife. However there are some things I'm unsure of since I've never actually used one. So here goes:

1. What is the difference between a wood backed strop and just a leather "belt" style?

2. Is it necessary to use a buffing compound on it? Or is just having the leather enough?

3. What is the proper/best technique for stropping? I've seen some people push the edge down the strop like they were using it like a stone. And wever all seen the classic barber thing where it's being pulled and pushed on the strop (from what I've always thought) was spine first and trailing the edge along.

4. If a polishing compound should be used where is a good place to locate the stuff? Is it sold in any fairly common stores or is getting it online the best bet. Also what are the differences in abrasiveness between the colors?

Pretty sure that's it as far as questions but a few more may pop up so bear with me.
 
Fletch Helical said:
So I'm considering getting a strop for finishing up the edges on any knives that I may (at some point) finish. From what I can gather they're a great way to finish a knife. However there are some things I'm unsure of since I've never actually used one. So here goes:

1. What is the difference between a wood backed strop and just a leather "belt" style?

Wood Backed makes it a little easier to use, the belt type will tend to roll the edge if your technique is not just right (the old timey baber shop movies are NOT the way you want to do it.)

2. Is it necessary to use a buffing compound on it? Or is just having the leather enough?

plain leather will technically work, but you'll be there forever

3. What is the proper/best technique for stropping? I've seen some people push the edge down the strop like they were using it like a stone. And wever all seen the classic barber thing where it's being pulled and pushed on the strop (from what I've always thought) was spine first and trailing the edge along.

4. If a polishing compound should be used where is a good place to locate the stuff? Is it sold in any fairly common stores or is getting it online the best bet. Also what are the differences in abrasiveness between the colors?

I use regular old buffing compound, Green

Pretty sure that's it as far as questions but a few more may pop up so bear with me.
Click to expand...



The whole idea behind stropping is to remove the burr from a finely honed edge.

with light / medium pressure draw the edge smoothly along the strop switching sides with each stroke
if you push to hard you will just roll your edge and it will actually dull the knife.
 
So as you're drawing the edge are you supposed to be doing it as if you're trying to shave the strop or are you drawing the spine towards you and dragging the edge against the strop?
 
You want the nap side of the leather up, and work in a mix of compound melted with something like olive oil.

Basically, you place the knife on the strop and lift the spine until your edge "bites" into the leather with very light pressure. Then you draw the knife AWAY from the edge. Otherwise, you will cut the strop and dull your knife. The idea is to draw out, straighten, and polish the edge.

I have this strop from Knives Plus in Amarillo, and it works great. They make them in shop with green high chrome rouge.

http://www.knivesplus.com/KPSTROP.HTML

--nathan
 
I would have to agree with silver_pilate that the Knifes Plus' strop works very well and is cheap. If you decide to make your own use the soft leather to do so. Tooling leather will work ok but don't use the rough side on that. Use the smooth side and rough it up with some sand paper before you apply the buffing compound/oil mix.

In my opinion if you use a belt type strop you will more than likely round the edge so stick with the leather glued on a board type.
 
I can vouch for rolling the edge when stropping wrong. First time I sharpened up my first kit knife, I had it extremely sharp with the deluxe diamond Lansky. I went to strop it on the back of my belt and I either a) pressed too hard or b) rolled the knife at the end of the pass or a combo of both....either way, I dulled the blade and had to resharpen.

So, are you supposed to alternate with each stroke? Or can you do say, 5 strokes then flip and 5 on the other side? Or is it all dependent on the person.
 
Well this is good to know. I'm bidding on a strap kind that has one side leather and the other side canvas. Should I get it I'll just make sure I hook it on something like a 1x2 and keep it pulled tight when I use it. Or should I not win I'll just get the one Nathan posted.
 
I'd get the one that Nathan posted unless your winning with like $2. Then you can try both and see which you like more. Get you some green chrome with it to keep it loaded up.
 
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