Stropping

K

KimberComp

Joined
May 22, 2005
Messages
272
Not another how to but what type?

I'm thinking about ordering the leather from Hand America.

They have three types (plain, red, and diamond pattern red) How do you use the variations of leather for stropping? Which would be the start, which would be the finish stropp? Which do you load with compound?

Would you buy all three and how what size would you cut them down to for attaching to a wood board?

I have both large and small knives in stainless and carbon steel. If I ordered all three types I could cut (3) 6x12's for the larger knives and several 3x12's for smaller ones.

Also, specifically from the Hand American site, what compound would you order for use.

Thanks,
Tim

PS. To date I've used a simple piece of leather with the rough side loaded with flitz and finished with the smooth side (plain leather)
 
I would use newsprint over leather as it is free and natural leather has little honing ability on its own. The chromium oxide based honing compounds work very well as a finishing compound. The harder ones would seem more suitable for the higher alloy blades.


-Cliff
 
Yes, I use one sheet usually, it isn't from a newspaper but a local magazine which also uses the same paper. I have been using it as a final finishing step recently after reading some comments on it by Tai Goo, this just has it plain paper, but I also use loaded leather just because I have it, I don't think it is optimal unless you want the edge rounding.

-Cliff
 
I am awaiting the arrival of some handamerican leather, and I have some hardwood bases cut, planed and ready to go.

Just a few minutes ago I wrapped one of the 3"x12" with a few layers of newsprint and rubbed a light coat of green chromium oxide.

I used this to strop a shop knife I am very familiar with and got a super sharp and polished edge. Little edge rounding if at all.

Thanks Cliff.....
 
Nosmo, do you mix the compound with any oil or cream to make it into a paste to apply to the newsprint? If oil is used, won't it soak into the newsprint and make it soft and tear during stropping?

Thanks
 
Just used a chromium oxide 'bar' that came from Lee Valley. I think it has a little wax in it as it goes onto newsprint fine and I just lightly rubbed on a even coat.
 
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