Thread: Strop Vs. Balsa Wood Bench Hone

Originally Posted by LarryAndro

I found the reference to use of pine wood instead of balsa wood. I guess about any softer wood will work?

One thing to consider when using pine is that depending on the wood, it might sweat out beads of resin/rosin, which might create bumps or screw up the draw. I don't know if that has ever happened, but you might watch out for that.

Just IMHO, the balsa .... "Aircraft balsa" I picked up at the hobby store is very nicely flat and finished. My guess is it is softer than pine. IME pine bought at Home Depot or wherever is subject to warping and to splitting. OTOH, experimentation is what it is about.