Time for a strop......

ac700wildcat

ac700wildcat

Joined
May 24, 2011
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I'm thinking its time for me to get a strop. I have an edge pro apex and I've seen some strops for that on a couple websites. I'm wondering if thats the way to go or will a regular strop be better and more versatile?

Also, for those of you with the apex, after what grit do you strop? Does the stropping work well after the 1000 stone or should I go through the 2000 and 3000 grit tapes before stropping?
 
I have come to prefer the balsa wood strops on EP blanks.

I like to start with 1 micron diamond after the 1000 grit stone.
 
The benefits of stropping are always more noticeable, the more refined the edge is prior to stropping. Assuming the edge is completely apexed during the sharpening stages, you'll likely appreciate the results more after your 3000 grit tape (per your original question).

Balsa works well for stropping. I'd always recommend a 'regular' strop, to be used freehand. It's good exercise for the 'muscle memory' of the hands. Even if you choose to use the EP's balsa strops now, don't be afraid to make yourself a conventional one. With balsa, especially, literally all you need is the wood itself (sanded flat & smooth) and some compound. Very simple & cheap.
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
The benefits of stropping are always more noticeable, the more refined the edge is prior to stropping. Assuming the edge is completely apexed during the sharpening stages, you'll likely appreciate the results more after your 3000 grit tape (per your original question).

Balsa works well for stropping. I'd always recommend a 'regular' strop, to be used freehand. It's good exercise for the 'muscle memory' of the hands. Even if you choose to use the EP's balsa strops now, don't be afraid to make yourself a conventional one. With balsa, especially, literally all you need is the wood itself (sanded flat & smooth) and some compound. Very simple & cheap.
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And quite effective! :thumbup::p:thumbup:
 
Looks like I'll be ordering a couple of the balsa strops for my apex to try out. I'll look into finding some leather and make my own strop to freehand with too eventually. What type of compounds would you suggest after say the 3000 grit tapes? I've mainly looked on the chef knives to go site and see they have some 2, 1, and .5 micron paste, but its kinda expensive. I've also read a few people talking about bark river compound? I see that KSF has it. Would that be a better option than the paste?
 
I think this question would benefit the original poster as well, and it's along the same lines: Is the green bark river compound on a leather strop going to produce a finer polish even after the knife has been on the edge pro with the 3k or even 6k tape?
 
actionyak said:
I think this question would benefit the original poster as well, and it's along the same lines: Is the green bark river compound on a leather strop going to produce a finer polish even after the knife has been on the edge pro with the 3k or even 6k tape?
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It CAN (depending). The green compound is very small (0.5 micron), so it has the potential to improve the finish IF the edge is ready for it. If the finish on the edge is comparatively coarse though, you probably won't notice too much improvement with the green compound by itself. Technique, and the cleanliness of the strop will come into play too. Dust particles or other grit on the strop, which are much larger than the compound's grit, can make scratches in the finish that'll undo a lot of your work. I've noticed, there's a limit to how polished my edges get, and most of that is just due to my 'dirty' strops. I don't worry about it much beyond 2K grit or so.
 
seems like its time for a slotted paper wheel. its like a strop but on crack. considering most grinders will spin at 3500rpm, its like you stroping for like an hour when you take a few passes at it. try it out, its really not that expesnive, problaly just as expensive as a strop.
 
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