What does strop compound do?

Strop or polishing compound polishes the cutting surfaces of your tools to reduce the friction or resistance to cutting.

It comes in various grits similar to sandpaper. Being such a fine abrasive, the polishing action is related in terms of cut and color.

When you carve, the micro-fine cutting edge bends and becomes wavy; this creates increased resistance.
Stropping realigns the cutting edge to reduce resistance; it can be done with or without strop compound.

But, you may as well kill two birds with one stone by applying compound to your strop.

[Ric]

So my friend go one step further and make a recommendation on the best compound to use.....

Now Rick, you know I can't do that. :-X

I use yellow stone compound and was wondering how that compares to jeweler's rouge or some of the other componds as far as grit size.

Thanks,
Jim Pope

[Donna_T]

Rick,
I'll go one step farther with this question. A good friend of mine collects antique pocket knives and hunting knives. He would like to clean up the blades, sharpen, polish, etc. but without diminishing the collector's value. He's asked me what to use and my immediate reaction was a rag wheel with yellow compound and perhaps the leather strop to start with.

What would you recommend?

Donna T

Jim, Jeweler's rouge is available in a number of grits ie. 100 to 400
Since Yellowstone's maker does not list it's grit, it is difficult to say.

Donna,
Personally, I would be reluctant to give advice on restoring collectable knives. :-/
On my old pocket knives I usually remove any rust with buffing compound and extremely fine steel wool by hand; then apply a coating of light oil.

[Captain_Bandaid]

To remove corrosion and staining from tools, try 'Flitz' or 'Simi-crome', both work very well without removing any metal. I like Yellowstone too. The new stuff from Flex-cut may be the same material as the results are very similar. Stopping will also remove microscopic amount of metal from the edge and contribute to a finer, sharper edge. When it polishes out the scratchs, it makes the tool edge smoother and it will glide through wood with less resistance. Has anyone every tried putting a dab of wax on the cutting edges of their tools? Not a recomendation, just a question.

[Kenny_S]

Believe it or not, An eraser, Like the one from our school days. Anyway that was what I taught the scouts to use if the knife was not pitted bad. Removed all kinds of stuff from the blade. light coat of oil on it will help to prevent rust. That is, if the blade is not made of good steel.

I use Jeweler's rouges to strop with. Been looking at the yellow stuff. Haven't tried it yet.

[Colin-Partridge]

My choice is the yellow from Flexcut I used to use the green but I find that the yellow gives me a better edge.
Colin