I bought a Strop, now what?

lovenhim · **on:** December 01, 2011, 03:45:18 AM

Hello everyone. I bought this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200519591646?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
and it came in the mail today. Now what do I do with it and how do I use it? I have this knife sharpening system:
http://www.amazon.com/Lansky-Deluxe-5-Stone-Sharpening-System/dp/B000B8IEA4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322707461&sr=8-1
Thanks for the help on this. I have never used a strop.

kronk · **Reply #1 on:** December 01, 2011, 03:46:58 AM

Apply some polishing compound and your ready to go.

Syph007 · **Reply #2 on:** December 01, 2011, 04:13:00 AM

Cool, I bought that exact same strop, but haven't tried it yet. Everyone said I needed it to get shaving sharp blades, but I havent tried finishing on one yet.

captain spaulding · **Reply #3 on:** December 01, 2011, 09:27:52 AM

I have a Lansky sharpener on the way myself and was generously given a strop so i'm in the same boat as you. Can't wait to get some razor sharp edges.

Farmman · **Reply #4 on:** December 01, 2011, 10:14:31 AM

Some good help on YouTube. Once compound on the strop, use it the opposite way to sharpening on a stone. On a stone the motion is like trying to cut thin slices off of the stone. With a strop you are polishing the edge and so the movement is reversed.

dks · **Reply #5 on:** December 01, 2011, 03:23:05 PM

I have the Lansky and a home made strop.
I just give my knives a strop after I sharpen them, with no compound.
I think it makes them a bit better (and longer lasting!)..... but they are sharp enough (slice paper and shave hair) before getting stropped so I can not really tell.

Sparky415 · **Reply #6 on:** December 01, 2011, 11:19:38 PM

My tip for today is to warm the compound before applying to the strop (hairdrier works

)

lovenhim · **Reply #7 on:** December 02, 2011, 04:38:01 AM

It seems to me from looking on Facetube that you can use Jewelers rouge on the strop as a very mild polishing compound.

sergemaster · **Reply #8 on:** December 11, 2011, 10:37:03 PM

Amici,
Compound isn't truly necessary when using a strop since you can get by without. I have used professionally made strops in the past and have found that a plain old leather belt is more than sufficent to restoring a edge, especially with a Scandi grind which is my edge of choice.

Cheers,
Serge

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