Stropping

[Visibility]

I've always sharpened my own knives, freehand. Usually do an ok job, sometimes it dulls quickly and found out from this board why that is happening.

I never believed in stropping or steeling though. But I can see here that the majority people do?

How exactly does that work though? I can't picture in my head how leather refines the edge...unless you are using some sort of polishing compound as well? The steel I can understand how it could theoretically work. I'll give it a shot next time I sharpen, are you guys using the steel in between each stone grit or only at the end?

Any place I can get an inexpensive strop? Making one is out fo the question...I live in a small apartment these days.

 

[Morrow]

Other will be along to explain why leather works etc....

I will tell you how to make a cheap strop that works great.

Get a paint stirring stick.
Get a tablet of paper with a cardboard backing.
Get some glue.
Go to Sears and get a block of green compound. You'll find it near the grinders in tool section.

Take the cardboard backing off the tablet and cut it a little larger than the stick. Glue it to the stick and trim it. Once the glue is dry, rub the green compound on the cardboard. It doesn't have to be perfect or completely covered. That's it......a perfectly functional strop for under $5.

 

[thombrogan]

Paper over glass with a polishing compound is my favorite type of strop. Unless sharpening a recurved blade, in which case paper over a dowel is my favorite type of strop.