Stropping compound...?

**ZenbaaS** · 10-06-2010, 21:09

For those of you that use a leather strop to put that final finish on your knives what compound do you use...? (available locally...?)

**Jacktheripper** · 11-06-2010, 17:09

brasso on a strop gives a great mirror polished edge

**KnifeKnowhow** · 11-06-2010, 18:46

Red tripoli (red buffing compound)

**ZenbaaS** · 11-06-2010, 19:43

Originally Posted by Jacktheripper

brasso on a strop gives a great mirror polished edge

Thanks. Would never have thought of that.

Originally Posted by KnifeKnowhow

Red tripoli (red buffing compound)

Available locally though....?

Also, which side of the leather is best, the "rough" side or the "smooth" side...?

**tarmac** · 12-06-2010, 12:14

Hi There

I have a grinding stone for sharpening woodworking tools. One side is the stone and the other side is a leather wheel. Rough side out. I use the leather wheel to put a razor sharp edge on knives once I have sharpened them with a lansky. Also use a polishing compound. These can be bought from most automotive shops.

Good Luck
Tarmac

**ZenbaaS** · 17-06-2010, 17:00

So anyone know where I can find the green or red stropping compound...? I found this online shop but there is no reply when contacting them... http://www.bjoberholzer.co.za/?sid=1&pid=784&ex=1

Come on guys, there must be some of you that know...?:)

**harm** · 18-06-2010, 06:16

depends on the final edge.
Wenol for polishing,buffing compound for less polish,plain leather for a "toothy" edge.
i prefer a toothy edge.

**ZenbaaS** · 18-06-2010, 10:32

Originally Posted by harm

depends on the final edge.
Wenol for polishing,buffing compound for less polish,plain leather for a "toothy" edge.
i prefer a toothy edge.

Yeah well I "finished" with a 600 stone but I need to touch up the edge a bit more, hence the stropping/buffing compound. Then after that I might polish a little bit as well. Problem is that I just don't know where I can find a very fine abrasive powder/compound for the strop.

**ZenbaaS** · 18-06-2010, 10:59

Ok, tried to EDIT my last post but it doesn't seem possible. I see a lot of people mention using grit/compound that you can get from automotive shops....? Any ideas what this would be called....? (And Im not referring to metal polish ;))

**tarmac** · 18-06-2010, 13:07

Hi ZenbaaS

The stuff I have for my leather wheel is a metal polish. But it came with the sharpening wheel, so I presume one could use any metal polish. I am sure you would also get different "grits" of polish too. Not sure if I have used the correct terms. But this metal poilsh gets the knives really sharp!!

Aren't there any knife makers out there who use metal polishes to get their knives sharp and shiney.....or is that a trade secret??