Strop question

[shatfield]

My strop has two sides. One with the rough texture of the leather and the other with the smooth. Does it matter which side you use for stropping, or do you use one then the other? I tried a search and couldn't find an answer.........

steve

[Stan Curtis]

I make my strops from leather work gloves, cut apart and glued to a flat stick, like a paint stirrer. I put the smooth side on one end, the rough on the other. The rough side is used with compound and the smooth side without compound for the finishing touch. The fingers, incidentally, become guards for thumbs and (you guessed it!) fingers.

[Ed Redwine]

Most folks seem to recommend the rough side out. This is used with a compound like the Flexcut gold or green (like Zam). Of course everyone has a favorite. I've never used the smooth side.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

I also use the rough side, I find it holds compound better. I did try the Tormek paste compound just recently on the smoth side of leather, it also worked real well. Try them both and see what works best for you.

Dave

[Dicky]

I use them both and I don't see a lot of difference but I favour the smooth side for the final strop (without compound) although a bit of compound always seems to migrate somehow.

[shatfield]

Thanks to all the stroppers.............

[Eddy-Smiles]

When I first started carving I made myself a beautiful double sided smooth strop but as time progressed by preferences changed and I now prefer a rough strop. It holds the compound better on application and it doesn't seem to gum up as fast when used as the smooth leather. Like Stan I make my own strops and raid the stirer can at Home Depot when ever I'm in the paint deparment and pick up scrap leather when it's on sale or when the craft stores offer their 50% off coupons.

[DuaneV]

Wll, Im interested in this discussion too, since Im so new to sharpening carving tools. Ive only had old, used (read worn out) tools that were hand-me-downs and I got them as sharp as I could with as little knowledge as I have, but I havent used them much anyway so I havent really worn them down.....YET! Ive recently purchased a straight knife, draw knife, spoke shave and plane that I want to keep nice and sharp.

I have some nice, heavy leather that I use to make fly wallets with. The outside side is REALLY nice and slick/finished/tanned, the inside is rough and pilled like. Can I use this? I honestly have no idea. I was thinking if I could, maybe cut a piece like a foot long and make a handle for one end, like a pick ('70's 'fro comb) and be able to use both sides.

So, can you use basically any leather? Thanks a bunch, Duane

PS: Sorry to hijack the thread.

[gtech]

That't what I use for my homemade stropper, heavy leather.

I put harder compound on the rough side, and softer compound on the smooth side for the finishing step. The softer compound adheres more easily than the hard compound and works well on the smooth leather.

With that set-up, I can get a mirror finish on my knives.

Gilles

[breezly]

i myself use the rough side it holds the compound better for me