What does strop compound do?

[whittlinwit]

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.

[richy-ruff]

Re: What does strop compound do?

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

[whittlinwit]

Re: What does strop compound do?

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

[Guest]

Re: What does strop compound do?

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]

Re: What does strop compound do?

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

[whittlinwit]

Re: What does strop compound do?

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.

[whittlinwit]

Re: What does strop compound do?

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]

Re: What does strop compound do?

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]

Re: What does strop compound do?

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]

Re: What does strop compound do?

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

[plain_ol_ed]

Re: What does strop compound do?

I used to use the yellow stuff from flexcut, but have swithed to yellow stone (which for some reason is pink).

[Donna_T]

Re: What does strop compound do?

Oh my Colin,
I couldn't resist this response to your posting about the yellow from Flexcut giving you a better edge.... :P

It's great for stropping carving tools, too!

But seriously, I like the yellow from Flexcut and the pink 'yellow' compound, too. Both seem to be a great improvement over the old white and even the green.

Donna T

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Re: What does strop compound do?

Ed...we are worried about you.....you 'swithed to pink'!! 8) :

[Mr._Munchkin]

Re: What does strop compound do?

For restoring old knives there are some excellent products avaible through Rockler. My favorites come in a 3-pack made by Boeing. There is one called Rust Free which removes the rust (go figure). The second is called Blade & Bit and it removes pitch and its ilk. The third one, called BoeShield, is a kind of lubricant/protectant. It is only mediocre at lubrication but it forms a long lasting film that is great at protection. Oh yes, and if he (or anyone) has any rusted tight hinges on those knives, or anything else, he ought to try to contact KANO Labrotories and buy some of their KROIL. The stuff is a miracle oil. Hope that helps Donna.

Oh yeah, stropping! Well I usually use a little strop I got a few years back. It is a little bar of rubber with the abrasive compound inpregnated. Works well enough so far.

[Donna_T]

Re: What does strop compound do?

Hi Munchkin,
Thanks for the specifics. I'll copy this and send it on to my buddy. I'm sure he will appreciate the good info. Some of it might even come in handy for old carving toolsl.

Donna