Getting Stroppy!

[sparky415]

After listening to Gareth I thought I would try  to make a strop for touching up the edge of a knife

I picked up this attractive belt in a charity shop 



glued it to a board (which I need to trim down) 



I used some polishing compound that came with my polishing mop
I heated the belt and compound with a hot air paint stripper to help it go in to the surface of the leather

First time I have made/used one of these so open to suggestions,
but it seems to work well 

[Spoonrobot]

Hey, I use #5 too!



I just started using a strop about 5-6 months ago so I'm no expert. All I do is try to use light pressure and use a trailing edge stroke. I'm more interested in knocking off the burr as opposed to polishing since I like my edge toothy.

[Styerman]

The one great piece of advice I will pass on to you is , light pressure . Too much pressure can "sink" the knife into the leather , and round things off . As always it's good to try a descent but not expensive paring knife ( Brazilian made Henkel {1 Twin} ) first .

Warning : a stropped knife will not feel sharp to the uninitiated , they think a burr = sharpness . What you are doing is laying in a convex microbevel .

Mostly , enjoy the results !

Chris

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Just light, consistent pressure, and an equal number of strokes both sides

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

I made my latest strop a double-sided one. I use green and black compounds.

[sparky415]

Thanks Guys!

The polishing compound was what I had laying around in the garage, I would have tried T-cut or Brasso otherwise

Convex microbevel that's what I thought I was doing   

Sounds like I should lighten up a bit I think I was pressing down too much 

Please keep adding any more suggestions 

[Zed]

nice work tony, ive got some leather left here so might have a go in the next couple of days, 

[sparky415]

That one was just a quid 
Pop down the charity shop and save the leather for a little pouch
(I know some of them do have inflated prices depending on their management ) 

It works, is quick and doesn't remove much metal
I now have a bare bit on my arm 

[Zed]

That one was just a quid 
Pop down the charity shop and save the leather for a little pouch
(I know some of them do have inflated prices depending on their management ) 

It works, is quick and doesn't remove much metal
I now have a bare bit on my arm 

  i went into my local charity shop today but just crappy belts, ill check at the end of the week, im making a nice old looking strap for one of my watches at the moment   

[Sean]

I just started as well and am no expert so thanks for this thread.  I also homebrewed a strop and love it.
It works wonderful for me.  I rarely use my sharpmaker any more which is good.
One thing I'll be more conscious of when I strop though is to use lighter pressure as suggested.  I might be
pressing a bit to hard.

[Jawbreaker]

I always have a leather belt on and i use it to strop with before pocketing my knife of the day if needed.Has worked well over the years.I never used a stropping paste or compound until i found a product called flexcut gold from a wood carving shop.Like a thick yellow crayon for about $7.00.I am able to get a sharper edge with that on the strop i keep in the kitchen-can whittle a hair with my reading glasses on although i prefer a less polished edge.I lightly cut toward the strop until the knife starts to bite in and strop away from the edge doing my best to hold that angle,and lighten up on each stroke....back and forth until there is hardly any pressure on the blade against the strop.Surely there are many products that work on a strop-but flexcut gold works well for me.

[Sean]

Interesting thanks for the info (above).  It'd be nice for someone who really knows how to strop to
put a video up on how best to get 'er done?

[John]

@jawbreaker I may give that flexicut Gold a try,thanks for posting 

[Styerman]

Sparky , for next time staple the leather to the block , this makes the whole system a tad bit less ridgid / more free floating . The Knives Ship Free site has a lot of super good video clips on point .

Enjoy the results , just what we nee MORE STROPPY BRITS !

Chris

[sparky415]

Now you tell me! You could have said before I got the bloody glue out 


Cheers for that Chris