Strop

45-70

45-70

Joined
Jul 10, 2003
Messages
1,601
Tomorrows project, if I can escape from the wife, is to make a strop.

Other than using a block of wood and glueing a strip of leather to one side flesh side up are there other things I need to know?
 
Um...use it in a drawing motion *away* from the edge? ;)

You can also make it flesh side down. I have two...one rough up with green compound, the other rough down with white compound. There's a bit of technique, but it's not hard to figure out.
 
I made a couple of really small ones; they are about 7 inches long. Good for stuffing into a pack.
 
BruiseLeee said:
I made a couple of really small ones; they are about 7 inches long. Good for stuffing into a pack.
Click to expand...


What is considered a "normal sized" strop?
 
I think you can make it any size that you want, but the materials often used dictate the size. For mine, I used the back side of an old Leather Belt that I had (this particular one had a rough back side not smooth) so it is only about 2" wide.

The only thing I think is very important is a Stropping Compound to add to your Strop. I use a Green Rouge compound that can be purchased from any Knife Supply Warehouse, it is intended to be used on a Buffing/Polishing wheel and it comes in a large Bar that weighs approx 2 lbs. This bar will last years!! I have also read that some folks purchased some compound from Sears and other Home Supply stores, but I don't remember the actual name of those compounds.

I know a "Search" on this subject would probably yield tons of material. I think you will really see an improvement in the sharpness of your blades after you have mastered the stropping technique. Good luck.
 
you can get matchless brand compounds from WoodCraft



Warren puts a thin strip of high grit sandpaper on one side of his. There may be too much cushion on the last few he sent me, but the idea is a good one. 600+ grit makes for quick touch up, and then straight to the rouge. By skipping all the 600-5000 grits, you get a polished, somewhat toothy edge - good all-around edge.
 
Thank you all, I have leather and wood, need to get the compounds, does it come in a particular grit?
 
I discovered that the green rouge is an irritant to my skin. You may be different, since I am allergic to all kinds of stuff....

I discovered that Clover compound, 1200 grit, makes a good and aggressive strop. The 1200 grit goop is pretty fine, and the carbide powder is suspended in a grease. It is easy to wipe the stuff on the leather. You would have to get this stuff from a machinery supply house, or a place like MSC industrial.

I use the leather rough-side-down, but have also used it the other way.
Works fine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top