Thread: Alternative stropping compounds.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

I once considerd Silica fume but never got around to it. Could only buy it by the ton.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silica_fume

Or just a jar of portland cement maybe?

Sikacrete 950?

Be like Star Trek & "Boldly go"

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Be like Star Trek & "Boldly go"

Not a bad idea at all.
I might suffer of some behavior disorder, but I know there are lots of us around so nothing to write home about. Syndrome is as follows:
a) Something calls my attention
b) I start juggling with ideas in my mind, bouncing inside my almost empty head echoing here and there lots of times, and probably figuring some things in the meantime.
c) I browse the web (google is kind of busy in my pc), ask around to guys I meet (or virtually meet, as in the post that started this thread).
d) I get some of the necessary things, either by buying them, collecting them (pieces of wood from the street, iron shapes, and such. My wife suffers my ideas...).

After d) I seldom go, either because it is a hard time to go, or because it is expensive to go.

For example: I was reading about polishing compounds and one of the favorites here is iron oxide. My mind immediately started to think in a jar with water and some iron wool inside, stored for a few days (this is "b) step" above). I would probably jump to c) somehow within the next few days (or not, some of my ideas die before d) step).

Back to my original question: I would probably wait for some of the experiments because 1) I have only one razor (my grandpa's one) and 2) I only have two pasted leather strops, with known progression. But if someone else had already experimented with this, I would have eagerly made another leather strop (I have seen some mentions to linen, but haven't either seen or made one of those... yet? OUGH! back to a) step).

Thanks again.

Martin

Metal polishes work but can leave a harsh edge. You will have to try different ones as they all have different formulations.

Paste newspaper or piece of cereal box cardboard with 3 in X’s.

Find local jewelers, and craftsmen that use sharp tools, woodworkers, artisans and barbers, see if they will sell you a bit, you don’t need much or point you in the right direction.

Any fine weave nylon or canvas will make a fine pasted strop or finishing strop.

If you have a harsh edge linen, nylon, canvas and leather and 100+ laps can calm the edge down.

Stropping alone can refine an edge, may take some time and skill, but if it is all you have…