Stropping Leather?

[redsst]

Hello Gents,
From what I've read, a good strop is needed to put that little extra "edge" on a blade (especially s30v). What do y'all use for stropping leather? An old belt? A barber's strop? Where did you get your strops?

 

[Cougar Allen]

 

[matt321]

You can glue a strip of leather to a strip of wood (like a paint stir stick you get for free when you buy paint). This will make a paddle style strop.

There are many variables that you may have to work out for your own circumstances. Like soft or hard leather, thick or thin, smooth or coarse, loaded with compound or not, press hard or press soft, hold flat to bevel or raised spine to work just the edge.

Here is an image that illustrates how you can dull a knife by pushing a bevel hard into the strop. The leather can round the edge as it recoils back from the deformation caused by pressing hard. This can be seen on the right diagram where the knife has flat bevels. The diagram on the left shows the case for an exagerated convex bevel. The idea here is that sometimes pressure helps and sometimes it hurts.

 

[kidwholaughs]

you don't have to use leather. Cardboard with a polishing compound will do the job. There is a really good thread on it. I think it's called I am a kung fu sharpening master. If you want to do a little high class, HandAmerican has everything you need for stroping. Plus, Keith D. is a great person who will explain it all you to.

God Bless

 

[JD Spydo]

I have heard from an old Barber that the strops he used in his trade were ones he obtained through a Barber Supply company. He told me that the last 2 he owned before he retired were both made from Russian Boar hide.

He's not the only one I heard that from either. The 2 Strops I am currently using are both made from cowhide. They were both handmade from a guy I know down in Arkansas. I've noticed that all the good strops are made with a soft variety of hide. I'm sure you'll get many different opinions on the type of leather/hide to use for a strop.

Now there are a bunch of polishing compounds you can use. There is a company by the name of Japan Woodworker who stocks a lot of good sharpening accessories and they have a few good compounds you can use on a strop. Lee Valley is also a good name in that arena. Good Luck

 

[Jason B.]

+1 to handamerican I have some leather and compound from them real good stuff

 

[Ben Dover]

I've had really good results with stropping compounds from HandAmerican, and Bark River Knife and Tool.

 

[DrThunder88]

I got a paddle-style strop at my local Rockler woodworking store for about $10. I forgot to get the green compound and ended up loading it with white rouge, but it still works very well. It might not get knives scary sharp, but it at least makes them krazy keen.

 

[M. McCord]

I've made them with leather ranging from 2/3 oz (very light) to 10/12 oz (heavy saddle) leather.

My go-to Strop is made from 2/3 oz grain (smooth) side up loaded with green compound. It's mounted on one side of an 18" red oak paddle. The other side has 1500 grit paper.

I don't do much paper sharpening but this set up is great touch up for leather craving knives as well as wood chisels.