honing strop

#1 01-08-2003, 12:14 AM

i just bought my first strop to get that razor edge that is supposed to be put on my knives. The carving store was out of the aluminum oxide powder that was recomended for it but they said jewlers rouge would work, so i went to a farm and fleet and bught that. it seems to work ok, but is the powder better because it won't build up on the strop? i was just wondering if anyone could help me with this or if anyone has any tips on how to make the strop work better.

#2 01-08-2003, 12:34 AM

The aluminum oxide powder is most effective on a very hard and flat strop material such as dense rubber.

Rouge will build up somewhat due to the binder that holds the abarasive in place. If you don't feel the rouge is doing the trick, it is probably too fine; or your tools may need honing.

#3 01-13-2003, 12:38 PM

I am now up to three strops here now. The first uses valve grinding compound from the auto parts store and gives the blade a great edge. The second uses flexcut gold and polishes the edge to a SCARY sharpness. The third is a smooth side out leather with no compound and just cleans and polishes away any residue from the other two. My arm hairs jumped off when they saw the shiny blade coming!!!

Good whittlin, Cliff

Captain_Bandaid · #4 01-17-2003, 05:52 PM

Cliff, You're getting close! Don't quit now, you are almost ready to carve! LOL!

#5 01-17-2003, 06:46 PM

LOL!!

Well Captain, I figure since I don't have a fancy power buffer or tri hone I might as well use three strops and see if it keeps me away from the Arkansas stone longer. Besides, my carving mentor bought a three way sharpening stick (600, 2500, and 9000 grit) and thought I could use his old strop.

Good whittlin, Cliff

#6 02-11-2003, 02:46 PM

[quote author=Clifford_Parker link=board=Beginner&num=1042006446&start=0 #2 date=01/13/03 at 12:38:46]
I am now up to three strops here now. The first uses valve grinding compound from the auto parts store and gives the blade a great edge. The second uses flexcut gold and polishes the edge to a SCARY sharpness. The third is a smooth side out leather with no compound and just cleans and polishes away any residue from the other two. My arm hairs jumped off when they saw the shiny blade coming!!!

Clifford,

What is flexcut gold and where do you get it?

Bob
Good whittlin, Cliff
[/quote]

#7 02-11-2003, 03:27 PM

Bob,

I bought mine at Woodcraft while I was in Minneapolis.

Good whittlin, Cliff
Charles City, Iowa
http://cliffordparker.tripod.com

AlArchie · #8 02-17-2003, 04:33 PM

Another trick I 've discovered for a real polished edge, is that Flitz metal polish in a tube. It squeezes onto the strop like toothpaste and is great for a final strop, but there is almost zip for abrasive so it doesn't work well for the first stropping.
Brasso might work as well, but I haven't tried that. YET!

Al

#9 02-17-2003, 05:01 PM

I read someplace that liquid brasso on a piece of glass made a good final strop. I haven't tried it because I'm happy with yellowstone on leather.

Callynne · #10 02-18-2003, 09:05 AM

Okay, I asked this before and no one responded so..what the heck, I'll ask again. Do any of you do a final strop on newspaper? I use the TV guide that comes in the Sunday paper, after I use my yellowstone and strop, I strop a few times on it. Really does polish up the blade. Also use the 'slice through the paper' test to see if I've stropped on the leather enough. Really works for me....can't believe I'm offering advice on sharpening...I've sure learned a lot in a short amount of time. Wonder if that's made me any new brain cells....definitely hope so!!

Callynne