Stropping on the KME system with kangaroo leather

[uilleann]

Ok... I am new to this. But I am getting hecka wicked sharp edges. But I have a couple of questions about using the kangaroo leather strop in the KME system.

This is their condition after sharpening 10 knives.

1. I am doing something wrong to get these scratches.... and I think most are from me dragging the tip at a bad angle across the leather.... right?

2. How do you avoid scratching the leather but still polish the tip?

3. is this strop, in its current condition, still functional. in other words can I still strop with it.... Or should I get another one after I perfect the fix in 1.

4. Do I need to and can I repair this strop (like sanding)??

Thanks for any help

 

[Sadden]

1. I am doing something wrong to get these scratches.... and I think most are from me dragging the tip at a bad angle across the leather.... right?

Its a combination of things, but yes bad angles can be part of it, along with too much pressure and dragging the strop completely off the tip.

2. How do you avoid scratching the leather but still polish the tip?

Use gentle pressure, take your time, do not pull the strop completely off the tip. Use your thumb to apply gentle pressure to the side of the strop that remains on the blade in order to keep the strop parallel to the edge.

3. is this strop, in its current condition, still functional. in other words can I still strop with it.... Or should I get another one after I perfect the fix in 1

Its fine, just clean it and gently remove any large loose bits that may be flopping around.

4. Do I need to and can I repair this strop (like sanding)??

Big no, do not sand any strop you plan on using quality compounds on. The sand can become embedded in the leather, causing scratching. Not to mention destroying the surface texture of kangaroo. Clean it with a clean cloth and some quality leather cleaner and conditioner. I picked up some gun cleaning swabs for this purpose (so you dont cross contaminate your different grits).

When cleaning multiple strops make sure you wash your hands thoroughly. Then start at your finest strop and move downward, using a clean piece of cloth each time. This way you minimize cross contamination, and any accidental cross contamination becomes a moot point.

Get some 0.1u cbn on your 1u strop and its no big deal.
Get some 1u cbn on your 0.1u strop and it will make you pull your hair out.