Thread: balsa wood strop

Hi guys.

Ok this has gone on long enough, i've been trying to find out what a balsa wood strop is on the search but can't find it.

Now, half the brain i have tells me it is a strop.......made of.......balsa....right?

Does it have leather on it? I cant imagine stropping on just the wood. But something tells me thats all there is to it? (with cutting paste obviously?!!?)

pea (confused)

That's all it is. Cutting pastes cut differently on different substrates. Roughout leather substrates cut faster than smooth leather, which cuts faster than balsa, which cuts faster than hardwood.

Thanks.

If someone doesn't mind can they list the procedure a little? Sorry to be a pain. Either that or head me in a direction where i can learn more about this area.

thanks again

pea (not so confused now)

Not sure what you mean - what procedure are you asking about?

Ok, I mean, to you just get a strip of balsa, add the paste and strop as normal?

I think most guys glue it down to something more substantial, though I guess if you get a big enough chunk that would work by itself. You'll need to lap it first as with any hone, then paste it. Yes, you strop as normal.

I don't actually use a balsa strop - I've got pasted strops in roughout leather, smooth leather, and hardwood. Basically everything *but* balsa :-)

think i might go for a pasted smooth leather strop, just feels right!

So has anyone used a hardwood like white or red oak before?


Justin

I use poplar myself. Never used oak, though I've got a chunk of red oak waiting for me to order some of that 0.1 micron diamond paste.

Originally Posted by mparker762

I use poplar myself. Never used oak, though I've got a chunk of red oak waiting for me to order some of that 0.1 micron diamond paste.

I have a few thin planks of red oak flooring ---I guess if I hand plane it fairly flat it would be a good option. So evidently on smooth hard surfaces the honing action is slower and less agressive? Is there a benefit to this? I guess less possibility of overhoning but do you get a smoother more refined edge? People who have used arkansas oil stones to hone razors say it takes longer but the edge is superior --any truth here?