This is probably a silly question, but: Is it absolutely crucial to use veg-tanned leather when making a strop? If so, why? Would it be possible/advisable to use, say, chrome-tanned suede or split?
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I think more than anything it needs to be hard...very hard. Good strops were usually made with horse butt because it is generally a very hard and dense leather. If you have seen Phil's video on sharpening he talks about using wood as a strop. I have a woodworking friend who also puts polishing compound on wood strips and uses those to strop his chisels.
Hello Christian,
many thanks. I use Dilux compound, like recommended from Phil. Did melt it in Isopropanaol, but will check terpentine as well.
My biggest issue is how to grind it to be able to get a proper dilution for easy application to the leather.
And I will check out if cardboard will be a better base for my strop
Hello Christian,
how do you manage to get your Luxor compound to be melted in oil, to get a thick solution to be applied to the strap??
I have just changed the substrate material of my strop from leather to 2mm greyboard along with my green compound brand and I must admit, my entire perception of what sharpness means has changed. Unbelievable.
@Prakash Soft leather strops will begin to rapidly cause a micro convex edge that grows to be unusable over time. This is much less of an issue when using a firm leather.
One of my favourite stropping surfaces is simple greyboard or even cardboard covered with polishing compound.