What strop do you use?

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enrico

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Never actually used one as I normally just touch up on my high grit stones.

Im sure most of you make them but is there any popular one you’d suggest?

Also which strop material do you guys prefer for simple touch ups.

Thanks,
Enrico
 
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I switched recently from generic leather + green compound to buffalo + 1 micron diamond paste.

Honestly, both worked fine for my carbons. The diamond paste works better for my stainless steels (R2, VG10).

Here it is in action on a Birgersson (unspecified carbon core) that’s still relatively sharp but not quite fresh of the stones sharp. Usually I wait for the knife to be a bit duller than this (i.e. bouncing off the paper towel) to touch up.

 
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Leather loaded with 1micron diamond
 
Does anyone have an opinion on using the smooth side of the leather vs the backside/hairy of the leather?
 
I almost do not dare to say that I often use the edge of my cutting board :eek:
 
Try loading it with diamonds!
diamond-watch-1661237040-6503450.jpeg


Okay, what next? 😋
 
Felt. More aggressive than leather, leaves an edge with some bite to it. I dont really strop with much else
 
SharpeningSupplies.com
12" XL Double Sided Paddle Strop, with a thin application of 3.5 micron diamond paste.
About 12-15 strokes on each side of knife edge, using the 'smooth' leather side of strop.
 

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@matchplay18 makes a really nice kangaroo hide strop


YES!

My roo tail is from him. It’s incredibly well finished, feels like a strop worthy of $500+ knives. So strange people will drop 400 on a cutting board, 1k on a knife, 700 on stones and then skimp on strops. For me at least the strop is at least as important as the board since I use it frequently
 
Got some horse butt leather from etsy. Decent price and good quality. I’m going to sacrifice this 10+ years bamboo cutting board as I barely use it any longer (only for quick grabs, lemon, avocado etc). I am thinking to glue the smooth side down and suede side up and go from there with or without compounds. It’s pretty firm and should be ready to use after. Should have bought x2 to make it double sided but ok.
 

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Does anyone have an opinion on using the smooth side of the leather vs the backside/hairy of the leather?
You know I received new leather belts for my Worksharp Ken Onion, and I am going to try the hairy side this time. I am oiling them first. Then I am going to add green compound.
 
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