[Manteo]

Does anyone have any thoughts on the use of the rubber-like strops versus leather strops? Does anyone prefer the rubber over leather?

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Strops? Here I thought this was going to be something Kinky! Personally, I'm think I'll stick with leather.

[Manteo]

Lynn:

I realized just as I clicked submit that I had made an error on the subject title.

[Kenny_S]

Me thinks there is another side to that there Okie cowboy!

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Hey! Us Cowboys are into leather!

[Thomp]

Originally Posted by Manteo

Does anyone have any thoughts on the use of the rubber-like strops versus leather strops? Does anyone prefer the rubber over leather?

I have had thoughts on this intended question myself,

another option is the clothe material belts they offer,

i like the leather but with the drawbacks it has reminds me of the ferriors forge i have out back, it had a flat leather belt and when exposed to heat and mosture then the dry season the tanned leather srand and broke the cast iron leg the crank handle was supported against,

in another situation i made 25 or so 3" 1/8" oil tanned leather disks and put them on a motor shaft, as they were used to hone my tools, each disk ws coated with rubber glue and stacked between 2 big fender washers 2-1/2" and all compressed, the wheel was about 3" when made but has now flaired out to near 4" and the wheel is soft now. so there is one flaw with lether its not stable as felt as im told.

I have several flat rubber belts i been thinking of trying between 2 wheels to hone with just to see what is best of the 3...
im thinking if the buffing compound dosent chemicaly react with the rubber and the compound stay where put im betting on the rubber being the best...

cratex has some rubber abrasive wheels, i had a small 3" wheel made by them and it really worked great as a mild abrasive, but they are pricy
this link through enco machienest supply catalog page
http://www.use-enco.com/HTM/2006/132.htm

[Kenny_S]

Never tried rubber for a strop. Doubt that I will, I believe in not fixing what isn't broken. But then, if we didn't try new ideas, then we never learn. Ok, wishy washy eh? I will stick to leather and side with the kinky Okie cowboy!

[Thomp]

Dont know too much bout wish washy but that flexcut gold compound sure has me as a customer, i was using the rouge theey call tripolee for all my honing,
i dont know if flexcut has anything different but when hand honing i can hear it working on the blade.. seams like less effort more carving time...
still i want to try the rotton stone powder to many products to little money...time....

[Kenny_S]

Yup, I know what you mean Thomp. I like that Flexcut stuff also but still have my Jewerly's rouge lon a couple of my strops. use it also.

[Eddy Smiles]

I've got some Yellow Stone from Smoky Mountain Woodcarvers and some Flexcut Gold. I just can't seem to tell the difference in performance.... problably my ignorance or inexperience!