[Fran F.]

Can anyone compare and contrast the differences between the following strop compounds?

Green stick
Yellow stick
Jewelers Rouge

Thanks, Fran

[Eddy Smiles]

Fran... Not to put you off but there have been two or three great discussions about this recently. Have you tried using the search function? Type in Compound, Hone, Yellowstone, Flexcut Gold and the ones you've already mentioned. I know that you'll find the answer that you're looking for.

OR http://www.woodcarvingsupplies.com/honesandstrops.shtml

"Emery - (black) contains coarse grit to remove surface imperfections. Very fast cutting. Use for hard metals. Tripoli - (brown), the most popular compound for general cutting down, buffing and coloring. White Rouge - Fast cutting, produces high gloss finish on hard metals. Red Rouge - Excellent for final coloring and a high luster on precious metals."

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Short answer ... They all work fine. Use whichever you can get easilly. We sometimes tend to overcomplicate things.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

I have tried quite a few and really like yellowstone.

Dave

[millhoused]

There are as many opinions as there are members of this forum.

They all work. Just experiment and decide which one you like.

I have several different ones and go back and forth between them from time to time.

One stick or package lasts years for me.

[mdallensr]

The Dunkle's make and sell knives and stropping compound. Their first and tried-and-true is Yellowstone. John Dunkle now sells Blue Velvet, which is probably the same as Yellowstone except for the color. It comes in a powdered form, which is easier to apply to a leather strop, and easier to share with friends. I've tried several compounds, including Flexcut Gold, and some may be as good as the Dunkle's but I haven't found any I like better. I don't use these compounds for power stropping; that's another story. Good luck. Mike

[rickm]

I use the stuff Cape Forge sells, which I believe is aluminum oxide in like a oil base. I find it better than anything. I have tried rouge, the white stuff that comes in a stick and green stuff, (whatever) and find they dont do beans.
Most of you seem to like those kinds of compounds, but frankly I havent had good experiences with them.

[Kenny_S]

As you can see, Different opin ions on what is best. I figure what is best and works for me, may not be the best for others. In saying that, I have found the Yellowgold which is pink works the best and the Flexcut Gold on hand stropping and honeing. For power, the white works for me on a cloth wheel as well as a leather wheel. Jeweler's rouge is another great compound. But then, These are what works for me.
I agree with Ed, Try different compounds and methods and see which works for you. They all have their purpose.

[Irish]

Kenny, so right! Many of us have a box full of different compounds each of which we have a preferred use. As most compounds are very inexpensive and they last forever and ever it is nice to experiment and make your own decisions.

As you, I have a synthetic strop that I use only aluminum oxide, one leather strop for red oxide and one leather for yellow compound. That way I don't have to mix compounds on one strop and have the bother of trying to clean the strop just to change out.

Now ... I could be far off here ... but I have noted over the years that I have a few knifes or tools that seem to brighten better with a particular compound as compared to another. I have always assumed (UT-Oh a dirty word) that it might have to do with the quality of the tool's steel as to which works best.

In general the red oxide is usually the coarsest with yellow as a medium grit and the white aluminum oxide as the finest. So perhaps the lesser quality steel tools need that red oxide where something like my Moor Chip Knives I go right for the aluminum oxide .... Does anyone else have this experience or is it all in my imagination.

Susan

[Kenny_S]

Susan, I use a piece of sandpaper on a wood block to dress/clean the leather wheel and then recharge with compound. How often. Not vary often but do on ocassion clean the wheel. Now my faulty old memory can't recall the last time I did that but sure I have done it since I just said I did, eh? Love old age. many excuses.