Stropping techniques?

[rc3mil]

Ok so i should be receiving my diamond spray from Hand American today. I recently made a strop exactly like this with these materials. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=640503

So how much of the diamond spray should i put onto the leather? I have tried stropping my knives on the plain leather but i find that i end up dulling the knife. I dont know how to strop. How do i strop correctly so that i dont dull my edge and how long should i be stropping for?

 

[Jason B.]

Not much is needed, about 4-6 sprays for a 3x12 strop. Its a learned skill and will take time. Strop at the same angle you sharpen at and use very little pressure. Strop as long as its getting sharper.

 

[rc3mil]

Not much is needed, about 4-6 sprays for a 3x12 strop. Its a learned skill and will take time. Strop at the same angle you sharpen at and use very little pressure. Strop as long as its getting sharper.

oops, ive been using heavy pressure on the plain strop from your detailed "how to". Maybe thats why im dulling my edges. Would something other than that leather be more forgiving to a beginner like me?

 

[Jason B.]

You can use wood like blasa or MDF but I still think leather does it best

 

[mycroftt]

I strop using all strokes in a single direction, flip the blade over and do all strokes in the other direction. When I get closer to the desired edge, I do fewer strokes in each direction - maybe even alternate directions one-for-one. Just make sure you don't ever roll the blade over the sharpened edge to reverse sides/directions - all you will do is round your edge.

 

[razorback1595]

i strop with light pressure on the same angle untill the burr is gone

Then i raise the angle 5° or so and strop verry lightly (not even the weight of the blade) 3 times a side, that way i'm sure i'm getting the verry edge

 

[rc3mil]

So use very light pressure and strop at the same angle that you sharpened at. How long does stropping normally take you guys and when do you know that your knife is ready for the strop?

 

[Vivi]

Knifenut's advice of using very light pressure is very good advice.

How long does stropping normally take you guys

5 seconds, 10 if I apply more compound first.

and when do you know that your knife is ready for the strop?

When my knife will pop off arm hairs and I cannot detect a burr with my fingers, then I consider it ready for the strop. I find if I strop before my edge is that sharp and rely on the strop to make a sloppy edge sharp, it doesn't even come close to what I can do going by this process.

 

[rc3mil]

Well thanks for all the advice guys. Ill give it a shot when my spray arrives later today (hopefully )