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 :-)