Honing Strop

Nice work, congrats on using some of the tools you mentioned for the first time. Well done.

-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"

Do you carve? That is a nice strop, great job. Did you use the smooth surface of the leather or the rough? I used the rough on mine but have been hearing that the smooth may have more advantages (both work fine) but the smooth has a tenancy to not “eat” up the stropping compound.

-- "so much to learn and so little time"..

Nice looking strop.

-- Mike, Missouri --- “A positive life can not happen with a negative mind.” ---

Thank you for your kind words!

Snowdog: I am a beginning carver. I just moved up a notch to “beginning carver with a strop”! : )
I was instructed that the rough side of the leather goes up—to help hold the honing compound. I believe that some of the roughness goes away with use. If you used the smooth side up you may need oil to help hold the honing compound. Your experience exceeds mine. I viewed some of your very nice projects and I see you are a ways ahead of me. I enjoyed looking at your projects and your workshop! My workshop is still in the “creation” stage, but it’s taking shape slowly but surely. Can I have your table saw? : )

Cheers,
Bill Whig

Thanks for the compliment but I am not way ahead, maybe a little but all it takes is a little time and a few scares :) I have not tried the smooth side up yet but many of the carvers in my group do it and say it works for them. I am going to make a strop and see for myself. Can you get your knife sharp enough to shave hair off your arm yet? That took me a long time and I still have some challenges with sharpening.

-- "so much to learn and so little time"..

A very fine lookin strop. First class all the way.

-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Kentuk55@bellsouth.net

Nice, I see some serious shine coming off that bad boy.