stropping

[dustin29]

I made a stropping block out of 3/4 inch oak board, and cemented a piece of leather to it. I use jewelers rouge on the leather, but when I stropp my blade the rouge gets flakey and rough almost like cement. Is this supposed to happen?

[iwannabeacowboy]

I've never had it do that. I just made my 4th one and I read to get the leather wet with honing oil, let sit overnight then coat with rouge. Works pretty good.

Charlie

[dustin29]

Should I wash off all of the rouge then put the honing oil on?

[iwannabeacowboy]

Honing oil should soak in even with the rouge. But let the leather sit for a day for the oil to soak in. If it's flaking off, try a little water and rub the chunk of rouge into the leather. You should see the rouge break down a little when it's wet. After i've used the strop and it's time to put more rouge on, dip in water and rub on again.

[Rawhide]

this will depend on the rouge quality...If the rouge is really hard like chalk it will flake for a short period of time, if the rouge is waxy, it shouldn't flake at all. The honing oil will sort of make the rouge act as a waxy type. The more you strop on it, the less it will flake.

[dustin29]

Thanks for the advice. I soaked the leather with honing oil, and it helped out alot. The jewelers rouge was some I bought from Tandy.

[tonyc1]

Can anyone define Honing Oil ? How is it different to other oils?

Tony.

[Rawhide]

Can anyone define Honing Oil ? How is it different to other oils?

Tony.

Honing oil is what you put on a stone to sharpen tools with...you can find it at a wood supply store like woodcraft, maybe even home depot or lowes.

[tonyc1]

But, is honing oil different to general household oil which I have always used on oils stones. Is there a difference in viscosity or what? I actually keep my oil stones in a plastic container of diesel all the time and it keeps them saturated and clean.

Tony.

[rybord]

But, is honing oil different to general household oil which I have always used on oils stones. Is there a difference in viscosity or what? I actually keep my oil stones in a plastic container of diesel all the time and it keeps them saturated and clean.

Tony.

Hey Tony, For my straight razors I used chromium oxide powder mixed with boot oil or neatsfoot oil to a paint consistency and spread it on either leather or balsa wood. I think what's important is that it absorbs in the leather without damage and blends well with the rouge you are using. I would mix a little and try it even if on a scrap piece of leather.

Ray

[hidepounder]

I think this has a lot to do with the type of rouge you use. some are intended to be used dry, others are not. I've found that WD 40 works pretty well to help a dry blend adhere better. I think honing oil is a lot lighter than general household oil. Maybe one of the knife guys could jump in here and tell all of us about both.