Thread: Hand American strop system for Noob

I have many knives thus I own the entire Hand American stropping system. I use crox on split, diamond spray on balsa, and plain leather of several types. Can I use these to strop my new straight when it needs it? I am waiting for a beginners kit from Phil and Jane at Classic Edge so I will have a starter strop. I just think I am used to the HA system and won't have to do an 'X' pattern. I also want to have a good foundation before I order an $80 strop.

Can't answer your question about HA but if you get a 3 inch strop you won't have to learn the X pattern.

Bob

Yes. The HA system woks fine with straights. You can use a plain (unpasted) wool pad as your second component before going to the leather, then one of the smooth leather pads. And you can use the wool or balsa pads with CrOx or diamond spray as a finisher after honing, or for touching up your razor when stropping alone won't get it to where it needs to be.

I have the Ha system, and this is what I use.

Since these Hand American strops are the size of a hone, how many passes do you guys use and how often?

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

Since these Hand American strops are the size of a hone, how many passes do you guys use and how often?

I don't have a HA sys but it looks plenty long enough. I would do 25-35 strokes on the wool, then 60+ on the leather. If that works, great! if not, experiment till you find a combo that does.