Stropbros/Stropman Strops?

Joined
Jul 19, 2020
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145
Anyone have one? are they good quality? I'm getting ready to upgrade from just laying a piece of old belt on a piece of wood, it works ok but but I'd like something a bit more convenient and have the ability to use a couple different compounds without having to come up with another piece of leather/belt. I was also wondering if anyone has any idea where Flexcut Gold falls in the lineup of common(black, white, green, red) compounds? I assume it's somewhere between the black and white based on the ingredients but I have never used anything else so I have nothing to compare to and Flexcut doesn't list what micron it is.
 
I was also wondering if anyone has any idea where Flexcut Gold falls in the lineup of common(black, white, green, red) compounds? I assume it's somewhere between the black and white based on the ingredients but I have never used anything else so I have nothing to compare to and Flexcut doesn't list what micron it is.
I read somewhere a while ago it is 6 micron. How accurate that is i cannot say. I have just applied some to a new strop i just made, i have a few crayon type compounds, but it is the best in my opinion for a EDC all round knife. It appears to me to be closest to some white compound i have, but as i said, i think it is better.
 
okay.

mind you, imho, strops are overrated.

after stropping, the knives doht cut tomato skin anymore.

clearly, stopping is no good.
 
Micron ratings of compounds don't matter too much for stropping, with some exceptions*. The bigger difference in how they work is determined by the substrate upon which they're loaded, and by the actual TYPE of compond and its appropriateness to the job (determining if the grit is actually capable of cutting the steel effectively). Any 'soft' substrate like leather, fabric or even wood (which is very 'soft' as compared to the compound's hardness itself or the blade steel) tend to make even rather coarse compounds act more like a polisher. And even rather fine compounds, if heavily loaded on some materials like fabric (denim, canvas, linen) can be very aggressive in metal removal (behaving like what we'd assume to be a coarse compound) while still polishing to a high degree (behaving like a finer compound).

* - The exceptions would be in comparisons of directly related compound types (like ALL diamond in a progression). There can and will be obvious differences in metal removal, finish left and polishing speed, and in the fineness of the edge left. But this is really only meaningful if each grit step is comprised of a grit material with essentially identical characteristics (hardness, shape, friability, toughness, etc) and otherwise only varying in grit size.

All the above is to say: The best way to see if a compound is appropriate to your finishing goals is to try it out. Mfrs will never reveal what makes their compounds unique in how they work. Could be differences in average grit size, could be a mix/blend of different types of compound (each with different size, hardness, friability, toughness, shape, etc.) which produce the final result. And the steel being finished - all by itself - will respond differently, depending on its elemental composition, hardness & wear resistance. And trying to account for all those variables to determine (logically) what the finish will be is a fruitless endeavor, most of the time. So don't worry too much about it.
 
Because of the lack of information on Stropbors/Stropman and because I never got a reply to my email asking them a question about the compounds they offer, I decided to order elsewhere. I ordered a Knives Plus Strop Block and received it yesterday and couldn't be happier, it's well made and refined the blades on the 2 knives I tried it on today very well, one in 1095 and the other in XHP steel. The rolling papers are there because I like to test for sharpness with them, they're an excellent indicator and I don't end up covered in bald/shaved patches... lol


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Because of the lack of information on Stropbors/Stropman and because I never got a reply to my email asking them a question about the compounds they offer, I decided to order elsewhere.
One of my pet hates, companies not replying to requests or questions. How long does it take to answer an enquiry, i like you, look elsewhere when a company just disregards me. Not only is it bad business practice, it's just plain rude and bad manners. My rant for the day, have a good weekend.

PS. On topic, glad you got a good strop.
 
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