Thread: Soapstone stropping

If I had to guess, I'd say that the illinois horse butt strop with a "beau brummel" branded linen I mentioned in a thread above this one has chalk in the linen, suspended in some waxy or sticky substance to adhere it to the strop.

From my admittedly limited soapstone carving experience, I would be cautious about applying soapstone to a blade. Most of the pieces I have worked with are mostly the nice soft stone that I agree would probably make a great stopping material. But the stone will also often have significantly harder inclusions that I suspect one would want to keep well clear of one's edge.

I'll take a look at the bits I have lying around, and if I can find a good clear piece, I'll give it a shot and let you know what I find out.

To the OP;

Just to make sure I understand, the stuff your talking about are these, right? Maybe a half inch wide & 6 inches long?
Commonly called soapstone or marking sticks & cost a couple bucks for a 5-pack or 6-pack without the holder here in the us.

If that's the case soapstone is just a tradename & has nothing to do with its composition. They're manufactured by compressing a talc powder as you mentioned & the risk of inclusions is nonexistent. Although, you may find areas with higher or lower density depending on the operating conditions of the equipment, but I dunno if that would affect anything.

marking sticks

Originally Posted by KenWeir

To the OP;

Just to make sure I understand, the stuff your talking about are these, right? Maybe a half inch wide & 6 inches long?
Commonly called soapstone or marking sticks & cost a couple bucks for a 5-pack or 6-pack without the holder here in the us.

If that's the case soapstone is just a tradename & has nothing to do with its composition. They're manufactured by compressing a talc powder as you mentioned & the risk of inclusions is nonexistent. Although, you may find areas with higher or lower density depending on the operating conditions of the equipment, but I dunno if that would affect anything.

marking sticks

Soapstone is the name of a rock which can vary in composition. it may also refer to something else. That I don't know. Most marking products are chalk or chalk substitutes.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Soapstone is the name of a rock which can vary in composition. it may also refer to something else. That I don't know. Most marking products are chalk or chalk substitutes.

That's what I said. They're called soapstone, but they're not actually made of it.

I've done some soapstone carvings as well, and I have enough around to try this. I was thinking today about applying it to a strop like you would chalk, just rubbing it on. In all the use i've had with my natural talk stone I've found "Hornblend" inclusions (amphibole), which is a very hard mineral. But you can remove it from the surface without to much problem as long as your careful to get it all.
I think i might make a small hone, but to strop on. If i get the time to get to all the things i want to try!

Nathaniel