Thread: balsa strop

i have a question, can one use a balsa wood strop unpainted, or does it need to be treated with cr/ox, i have the balsa wood, just need to know the awnser to that question.

I know some people have tried and were very happy with the results.
Just give it a try and see how it works for you.

I've heard it works, never tried it myself. I have stropped on newspaper and denim, both work good also.

Originally Posted by wvloony

i have a question, can one use a balsa wood strop unpainted, or does it need to be treated with cr/ox, i have the balsa wood, just need to know the awnser to that question.

You need something on it, CrOx, or Diamond paste, balsa is not
abrasive enough in a way that is going to do you any good. Start fine
with CrOx... and it will not hurt to just try it with nothing on it.

Sure you can use it to support newsprint or denim and strop on it.

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

You need something on it, CrOx, or Diamond paste, balsa is not
abrasive enough in a way that is going to do you any good. Start fine
with CrOx... and it will not hurt to just try it with nothing on it.

Sure you can use it to support newsprint or denim and strop on it.

thanks for that info nifty, i have actually 2 pieces of balsa, one is gonna get CrOx when i can afford some, hopefully next week, but will it hurt it to use a unpasted piece as a simple strop

Originally Posted by wvloony

thanks for that info nifty, i have actually 2 pieces of balsa, one is gonna get CrOx when i can afford some, hopefully next week, but will it hurt it to use a unpasted piece as a simple strop

It should not hurt -- but for a simple strop use newsprint supported
by something sturdy, even cardboard with the grain running the
long way will do in a pinch.

Lately I've been stropping on a piece of obeche (a soft African hardwood) charged with 100,000-grit diamond powder. I'm very happy with the results so far.

Originally Posted by wvloony

thanks for that info nifty, i have actually 2 pieces of balsa, one is gonna get CrOx when i can afford some, hopefully next week, but will it hurt it to use a unpasted piece as a simple strop

Send me a private message with your mailing address and you'll get some free chromium oxide. (I use Kremer Pigment's 0.3 micron chromium oxide.)