Making a strop

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #11 11-01-2004, 11:10 PM

a little compound on paper or solid cardboard makes a terrific strop as well!

#12 11-08-2004, 08:42 AM

Seems we're all on the same page. I have cut a notch out of the right side for my left index finger and on the left side for the thumb. This helps me keep a good grip.

Cut_Fingers · #13 11-08-2004, 02:06 PM

A simple question:

I just started using a compound on my strop. I got some of the Yellowstone, which is in a very hard bar. The instructions say scrape the compound on the strop & then butter it in. It also says don't get any oil on the strop. Since your hands contain oil, I guess your not supposed to use your hands/fingers.

The question: Do you scrape the stuff on the strop & then use your knife blade to butter it in? How do you get it on the rounded part of the strop & keep it there?

Thanks
Jim

#14 11-08-2004, 03:29 PM

Jim,
The oil from your fingers is not an issue.
Just peel the cardboard back on the Yellowstone and rub it into the strop. Â*The same applies to the rounded part of the strop. Â*
It will go on very light and will turn black with use, apply more later until you get an fairly even black coating in the areas you use.

Cut_Fingers · #15 11-08-2004, 05:54 PM

Thanks Rick!
I had a devil of a time last night, but managed. I knew there HAD to be an easier way. I wasn't sure about peeling back the cardboard.

Greyhair · #16 11-15-2004, 12:09 AM

I use to use a wood paddle with leather for a strop but have switched. I have gotten a piece of extruded aluminum that has a 1/2' rounded edge on one side and then a flat sapce 3 inces wide. What I like is the V formed where the rounded edge meets the flat section and I glued the leather over the side edges and can use the edge to dress some of the smaller gouges. Seems to work well for what I need.

#17 11-15-2004, 08:24 PM

Talked to John Dunkle ( Herb's son, who invented Yellowstone) at the Belleville Il. carving show. He's pretty fanatical about using very thin leather ( pig skin) on his strops. Use a bastard file to remove the compound, spread it on the strop, then use the shank of a screwdriver to 'butter' the strop. The blacker & shiner, the better.

Hope this helps.

John also makes a fantastic knife.