Just tried this home made strop with good results

[AlexGT]

I decided to make my own strop after reading this tread on bladeforums and got very good results, in case anyone wants to give it a try. :twothumbs

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=537085

AlexGT

 

[NonSenCe]

neat trick. if i ever learn to sharpen my knives this might come handy.

i just cant get it right. the sharpening. i can get them sharpish but not the razor hairshaving sharp. i just can keep/get the angles right. sigh.

 

[tundratrader]

Stropping convex edge knives really takes the edge equation out. The soft backing of either leather or the old school mouse pad makes up for the imperfect angles. Try using sand paper on a mouse pad and you will get the hair popping sharp very quickly.

 

[KiwiMark]

For a standard blade I strop on a piece of old belt (the belt broke so I cut it into a few lengths) that has green rouge rubbed onto it. It didn't cost much but it seems effective at polishing the edge.

 

[YayILikePie]

For a standard blade I strop on a piece of old belt (the belt broke so I cut it into a few lengths) that has green rouge rubbed onto it. It didn't cost much but it seems effective at polishing the edge.

I have a similar setup. Using an old belt that kind of fell apart, I have it stretched over the edge of a table. The belt's rubbed down with a touch of mineral first, then green rouge. Makes for a nice introductory strop. One of these days though, I plan on cutting it down to size and gluing it to some wood so I don't have to use the edge of a table.

i just cant get it right. the sharpening. i can get them sharpish but not the razor hairshaving sharp. i just can keep/get the angles right. sigh.

If you're having trouble getting that edge to work for you, perhaps you should try out the sharpie method, in which you add a line of permanent marker to the edge and sharpen till it's gone. If you are hitting the edge at the proper angles, perhaps using less pressure can help.