CHALK ?.....

[Markopolo]

I was wondering if anyone has ever thought about this before......

When I received my hanging strop, they said that the linen side was
"pre-treated" with a chalk.

Indeed, when I first put the strop into use, a very small amount of white
substance was noticable on the linen side !

*QUESTION*.... Chalk ?......If I buy a box of blackboard chalk (the kind
school children use), and treat my linen with.....

Is that good or bad ?

Thanks.....Marko.

[AFDavis11]

That would be strange! The linen is fine. The chalk is to help clean and dry the blade a little.

For strops without chalk I sometimes sprinkle a little fireash on them and rub it in.

I kinda doubt that white chalk powder would really hurt anything as long as it was in powdered.

[Wildtim]

Talc would be easier than grinding up blackboard chalk if you choose to go this route

[spazola]

I use whiting as an abrasive to make a very fine metal polish. You can buy whiting at a paint supply store. Whiting/chalk/calcium carbonate is pretty low on the Mohs scale. I do not think it would have much of an abrasive effect on hardened steel.

Charlie

[JohnP]

I use whiting as an abrasive to make a very fine metal polish. You can buy whiting at a paint supply store. Whiting/chalk/calcium carbonate is pretty low on the Mohs scale. I do not think it would have much of an abrasive effect on hardened steel.

Charlie

Calcium carbonate as in baking powder?

hmmm.....


John P.

[randydance062449]

I tried the school board chalk thing a couple of years ago. It does work but...it can leave abrasive grains that are to large at first. So..once you apply it be sure and go over the linen with a spare junker razor or kitchen knife to break up any large grains.

[shotwell1234]

Climbing chalk or gymnasts chalk comes pre-ground or in block form and seems to be softer. It is really easy to work with and can likely be purchased at an outdoor or sporting goods store.