Stroping compound?

N

Nugg3t

Joined
Oct 15, 2002
Messages
751
I just ordered a leather strop and was wondering what compound I would need? I'm not familiar with using a strop, any help would be appreciated. I see all types of colors and I'm not sure what exactly I need. Also if anyone knows a good source to buy compound it would be a big help.

Thanks.
 
Red rouge(jewlers) compound is probably the most used, and works well. I hear good things about the green Lee VaLly stuff also.

:).
 
Nugg3t,

I use a generic white rouge I got from Eric Chang. Boy, it doesn't take much to feather the edge. I rub the rouge on, usually until I see a bit of white coloring on the leather, and pull the strop tight. I do a few light licks, and it's done.

If there's a small ragged spot, I strop in that spot a little harder rather than graind away good metal.
 
Thanks guys, the red rouge came with the strop I ordered...
But it said something about using a different compound for hardened tools. I'll try it and see how it works.

Does anybody know a website that I can purchase some varieties of compounds? I'd like to try the white and others and find out what I have better luck with.

Thanks again :)
 
For most of the common compounds, check out Sears, for 10 bucks, or so they sell a set of the most used compounds and a chart detailing their use. For the more exotic stuff, try Lee Vally(www.leevally.com):).
 
Compounds do come in a variety of grits, and are made of different materials. A "typical" buffing job by a knife maker includes at least 2 compounds, usually a green chromium oxide which gets out the super fine scratches, and then a white compound for an even finer polish. You do want the compound to be somewhat abrasive, as it should cut the burr/steel. The Lee Valley compound is indeed great stuff. Give it a try, I am sure you'll like it!
 
I use the Red and the Blue stuff from KnifeCenter.com and have had great luck with them.
 
I just placed an order for the green compound from lee valley, red, and white from another site.
Thanks for the advice, I should be set as far as compounds go for now :D
 
You might check at WWW.handamerican.com. Keith Degrau has a selection of leathers and compounds including Chromium Oxide. I use the CO for daily (if needed) touch up. He also sells a varitity of silicon carbide grits that can be loaded on a strop.What I like about about the dry grits is that they can be shaken off and a new grit loaded. I use the heavier grits when the blade needs more work and light grits for touch up and polishing the edge.

Just a thought
 
I went to the tool section at Sears and got red and white sticks of polishing compound for about $3.00 each. I've been using that for about a year now with great success. Red on the smooth side of the strop, white on the rough.

Also, just for laughs I'm going to get another strop and use some "White Diamond" on it because I have a buddy that swears by the stuff. I ordered some here but it hasn't arrived yet:
http://www.bartcotools.com/
 
Many of the polishing compounds such as jewlers rouge are not intended to polished hardened metals, especially the high alloy ones. Use something like CrO which usually comes in a green bar or paste. It is designed to cut the hardened alloy steels.

-Cliff
 
Originally posted by Cliff Stamp
Many of the polishing compounds such as jewlers rouge are not intended to polished hardened metals, especially the high alloy ones. Use something like CrO which usually comes in a green bar or paste. It is designed to cut the hardened alloy steels.
Click to expand...

The CO I have been getting is sold by weight ( 1, 2, 3 LBS) and comes in a loose granular form. I tried the rouge´s years ago and found that the polishing did not do much for a nice toothy edge for general use.
 
For a more aggressive edge you will want a lapping compound. There are many grades of SiC sold, down to much more coarse than any hone.

-Cliff
 
My HandAmerican leather hone came with 1200grit silicon carbide dry powder. Pretty aggressive stuff but man does it put an edge on a blade. Not exactly polished, just hair popping sharp and yet still a little toothy.
 
I use the hone for wet/dry paper and the leather hones with SiC. Nice toothy edges.:D
 
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