Using a strop

Joe58

Joe58

Joined
Nov 11, 2002
Messages
1,969
Hi - I'm hoping some if the sharpening experts may give me a couple pointers on using a leather strop to finish sharpening my knives.

Do I strop at about the same angle as I sharpened at. About how long should it take, and how will I know when I'm done? Usually I'm done when I cut my thumb or a finger. :p

I ordered a strop off the #bay and it has two grades of leather. A brown side and then black. The description said use the brown first, then the black. I saw some that had canvas on one side and leather on the other side. I didn't go with that since I've never seen anyone mention using the canvas side.

I also noticed different types of treatments you can apply to the strop. Are these necessary or is the plain leather satisfactory?

I appreciate all the tips I can get. I'm functionally disabled when it comes to sharpening. I currently use a Sharpmaker with the standard stones and a set of ultra fine stones as well. I have trouble with the dreaded wire edge. I've considered getting a Lansky kit.

Thanks guys!

Joe
 
Use a light touch. No pressure on the knife or the leather will wrap the edge and make it duller.

To find the right angle, you are trying to strop at the same angle at which the edge want's to cut the strop if you are going edge leading stroke. You don't need to "cut" the strop. (I say that because I saw one guy instructing that you actually cut the strop, otherwise how would you know. His strop was all cut up!).

The edge angle at which the edge starts trying to cut the strop is where it will actually be sharpening and polishing the apex.

I use loaded strops, meaning I use metal polishing compounds. With proper strop leather to finish, this may not be necessary, but it sure as heck gives faster results.

Go to Google and search out stropping tutorials and advice on Bladeforums. There are a bunch of threads that already have tutorial links in them, so I am not going to spend the time to look up all the ones I have linked, and seen posted.
 
Stop at the same angle you sharpen at. It should only take about 5 or 6 strokes on each side. You will know when your done because you should be able to easily slice through phone book paper and even shave small pieces of paper (like doing a feather stick). Cutting your finger is another good sign the knife is sharp :D. Sounds like the strop you ordered may already be preloading with stropping compound (at least the black side-the other side may be just leather only). I use the green compound or jewelers rouge from Lee Valley to strop with. Don't get the Bark River green compound--at least I have not had good luck with it. You can also use just plain leather with no compound. I have not seen anyone use canvas either but I guess it could work, probably not as good as leather. This is just my 2 cents worth--hope it helps. Check out YouTube as well. There are some awesome videos on there on how to use a strop and the different compounds to use.
 
Am I pulling the knife towards me, or stropping away from me? I guess I'm trying to say, for the back side, with the handle on the right, I would take the knife away from me, then turn it over and bring it towards me? Does that make sense?

Thanks for the help! I will search for tutorial videos.

Joe
 
Trailing edge strokes. You don't want to cut into the leather. I'm guessing it's a barbers strop and not leather mounted to wood (paddle strop)? Barbers strops are a little tricky to use because of the slack.

Either way "painting" the edge with a magic marker will help with your technique. Angle will depend on how soft the leather is. If the leather is soft stropping at the same sharpening angle will wrap around the edge and dull it.

Here is a wealth of info on sharpening. If you can't find an answer here it isn't a problem. :)
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/794-Maintenance-Tinkering-amp-Embellishment

Practice make perfect and I'll be the first to admit that I dulled the heck out of a few edges before I got it right. Especially with a barbers strop!
 
Strop with the edge going in the opposite direction. If you pull the edge into (or towards) the leather you could cut into the strop and ruin it along with your edge. Like Bigfattyt says, use light pressure. If your not sure of the angle do like blame it on god says and use a black sharpie and just mark the edge of the cutting area of the blade. Strop about the angle you think is correct a few strokes. Look at the edge again, if your sharpie marks are still there your not at an acute enough angle. Be careful not to get too much of an angle or you could round the edge. It takes a little practice to get it but once you do you will take your edge to a new level of sharpness. I see guys who whittle hairs after using a strop. I've never tried that (old eyes :D) but I can get a scary sharp knife blade.
 
Thanks so much for the great info. That makes sense to use the paddle strop vs. the barber strop. And using the sharpie didn't occur to me either. I ordered a paddle strop. Once the barber strop arrives, I can likely have it mounted on a paddle too. The links provided do have a wealth of info there too.

Very nice folks here on the forum. Always willing to help each other out!

Joe
 
Save money on fancy stuff. Find a shoe repair store that sells leather strips; most still do, about 12 X 2 which is usually enough. Horsehide is the good stuff, and costs less than you'd think. Work the smooth side, and always away as said. To assist the process and to add some grit, I'll apply some standard glasstop stove cleaner and once dry five or six strokes in each direction can make your blade VERY sharp!
 
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