Understanding Strop Compounds: The Fine Abrasives for a Mirror Finish on Your Blades
Achieving a razor sharp edge on your blades requires more than just a sharpening stone, and that's where strop compounds come in. In this guide, we'll dive into the science of strop compound and show you how to use it to take your blades to the next level of sharpness and polish.
First, it's important to understand that strop compound is an extremely fine abrasive used in the final polishing stages of sharpening. These abrasives are sometimes loose, but are usually held in a medium like a wax bar, a paste, or a spray. The particles in strop compounds range from 15 microns, roughly equivalent to a 1000 grit water stone, down to 0.5 micron, or about 60,000 grit. Various materials are used for the abrasive particles such as aluminium oxide, chromium oxide, and diamonds.
When it comes to choosing a strop compound, it's important to consider the level of sharpness you're trying to achieve. For example, a coarse compound with larger abrasive particles will remove more material from the blade and create a sharper edge, but it may also leave visible scratches on the blade. A finer compound with smaller abrasive particles will create a smoother edge, but it may take longer to achieve the level of sharpness you desire.
It's also worth noting that different types of strop compounds are available for different types of blades and materials. For example, aluminium oxide compounds are commonly used for carbon steel blades, while chromium oxide compounds are better suited for stainless steel blades. Diamond compounds are the most aggressive and can be used for any type of blade and can bring a very dull edge back to razor sharp.
Applying the compound is easy, after cleaning and conditioning your strop, apply a small amount of compound to the surface of the strop and spread it evenly. Then, using moderate pressure, run the blade along the strop, always moving away from the cutting edge. Flip the blade over and repeat the process on the other side.
It's important to note that honing compounds are the final abrasive used in the sharpening process. The abrasive particles are extremely small and will polish an existing edge to a mirror finish, but they are not aggressive enough to bring a dull edge back to sharp. Therefore, the edge being sharpened must have been taken through the finest sharpening stones before the compound is used for it to be effective.
In conclusion, strop compounds are a valuable tool for knife and tool sharpeners looking to achieve a mirror finish on their blades. It is important to choose the right compound for the level of sharpness you desire and the type of blade you are working on. Used correctly, strop compounds can take your blades to the next level of sharpness and polish. Remember to use it as the final step in the sharpening process after using the finest sharpening stones.
First, it's important to understand that strop compound is an extremely fine abrasive used in the final polishing stages of sharpening. These abrasives are sometimes loose, but are usually held in a medium like a wax bar, a paste, or a spray. The particles in strop compounds range from 15 microns, roughly equivalent to a 1000 grit water stone, down to 0.5 micron, or about 60,000 grit. Various materials are used for the abrasive particles such as aluminium oxide, chromium oxide, and diamonds.
When it comes to choosing a strop compound, it's important to consider the level of sharpness you're trying to achieve. For example, a coarse compound with larger abrasive particles will remove more material from the blade and create a sharper edge, but it may also leave visible scratches on the blade. A finer compound with smaller abrasive particles will create a smoother edge, but it may take longer to achieve the level of sharpness you desire.
It's also worth noting that different types of strop compounds are available for different types of blades and materials. For example, aluminium oxide compounds are commonly used for carbon steel blades, while chromium oxide compounds are better suited for stainless steel blades. Diamond compounds are the most aggressive and can be used for any type of blade and can bring a very dull edge back to razor sharp.
Applying the compound is easy, after cleaning and conditioning your strop, apply a small amount of compound to the surface of the strop and spread it evenly. Then, using moderate pressure, run the blade along the strop, always moving away from the cutting edge. Flip the blade over and repeat the process on the other side.
It's important to note that honing compounds are the final abrasive used in the sharpening process. The abrasive particles are extremely small and will polish an existing edge to a mirror finish, but they are not aggressive enough to bring a dull edge back to sharp. Therefore, the edge being sharpened must have been taken through the finest sharpening stones before the compound is used for it to be effective.
In conclusion, strop compounds are a valuable tool for knife and tool sharpeners looking to achieve a mirror finish on their blades. It is important to choose the right compound for the level of sharpness you desire and the type of blade you are working on. Used correctly, strop compounds can take your blades to the next level of sharpness and polish. Remember to use it as the final step in the sharpening process after using the finest sharpening stones.