I recently bought a barber's razor strop at a flea market. It has a leather strop and also one made out of a web/woven material. Can somebody tell me how to use this to maintain an edge on my carving tools and bench knives? Thanks!

[Donna_T]

Slow_Carver,
I, too, have an antique barber's leather strop AND a woven one, too. I have the best luck by applying a good compound (I prefer the 'Yellow' stuff) and then making sure the strop is on a flat, firm surface, strop a sharpened knife 8, 10, 15 times on each side...stopping and lifting it before it gets to the end of the strop so that it doesn't roll the edge of the knife. (I know barbers stropped while holding the end of the strop out tight to make it flat, but I need the firmness of something solid under it!)

I do the same for the woven strop. Although I don't like it as well as a leather strop.

Donna T

I am afraid I can't help you, I have never seen a razor strop used for stroping. Â*I do have vast experience with another use for it. :'(

I have been conditioned to cut them in half whenever I find one.

Personally, I have never used a barber’s strop. Normally they are canvas on one side and leather on the other. They are intended to be secured to a stationary object like a wall and pulled tot with your non-dominant hand. The tool is then stropped using your other hand.

My strop is just a piece of leather glued to a hardwood board with a handle. I would recommend just laying your barber’s strop leather side up on a table or board and using it that way. If you do mount it, be certain to keep it tot while you are stropping.

To use the strop: Lay the edge of the blade on the strop and tilt the back of the blade up slightly. Using a fair amount of pressure, slide the knife along the length of the strop so the back of the knife is leading in the stroke and the cutting edge is trailing and being pressed into the strop. This polishes your cutting edge (note: you will cut into the strop if you go the wrong way). Be sure to position your knife so you can strop your blade across the entire length of leather. Pick up the knife and set it back down blade facing the opposite direction for the next stroke. Take care not to roll your edge over in the compound or you may ruin your edge. Repeat the above instructions for the other side of the blade. It should only take a few strokes to take the featheredge off of the tool and make it sharp again. If it is too dull you will still need to use a sharpener.

So far as compound, each carver has his or her own opinion. For hand strops I use 'Yellowstone' that I purchased from littleshavers.com. I am still using my first bar as you don't really use that much once your strop is conditioned. I just scrape it off on to the strop until it is lightly and evenly covered. As you use the strop it will turn black and slightly sticky. This is good and what you want.

I hope this helps.

-Michael

Rick, I have one hanging in the shop...with everything still intact...sort of a trophy, having three older bothers, I won the right to keep it as an heirloom.... the good part is I don't have to behave nowadays
art

c'mon down and have a hit

Art,
You will need to hide it if I come down, or you will have two short strops. I think I'll pass on the hit, I've had my share.

[bill#1]

Hi
I just want to introduce you to what some carvers are scrounging up old floor polishers and scrubbers for making a power strop...remove the handle and turn the brushes into two circulating disks..one each way. and attach leather disks..to apply the polishing compound of your choice...also you will want slow that motor down to about 500 rpm..U will need a router control or other similiar device that works on simple motors. just a little stropping will put you back in business of carving again.. a word of caution with any spinning equipment..if you are not familiar with electrical motors get some help with some one who is..plz...
keep those chips flying...
Bill in western PA

[dart]

My fond memories of a razor strap are me being punished with it. Ouch! That hurts. I still have that old razor strap my Mom and Dad used on me when I was a kid. I keep it hidden so no one else can use it. As for cutting them up, it seems a shame to cut up a nice piece of thick leather. I'd rather cut up an old leather belt and make a strop out of it. Maybe I'll give the old razor strap to my nephew or neice when they get kids of their own? Not likely!