do you strop on your jeans?

archieblue

archieblue

Joined
Mar 19, 2001
Messages
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does it work? I seem to have this undeniable urge to strop on my thigh after use... something like 10 times on each side. sure... part of it is dis-gunk-ifying, but something in my head tells me its good edge maintainance... I'm not sure if it actually maintains the edge or not... It seems to work ok. Is this recommended? Or frowned upon... as far as the EDGE goes... not cleanliness.
 
I don't do it, but it does work....but only for like scary sharp edges..:D

Steeling works too, just a few strokes after use and it helps maintain the edge..;)
 
I don't because I find I can't keep a constant angle on the curved surface, so the edge becomes less than optimal. It also makes your jeans wear out a hundred times faster. :)

I strop with the back of a notepad on a hard backing.
 
I try ro use cardboard whenever possible to save the jeans... Though it all seems ok so far... btw scary sharp is the word to the mothership...
 
I thought I was the only who did this. I strop my jeans quite often. Other things may work better but it does seem to help maintain a nice edge. Sometimes you just got to give into your urges...:D


Dean
 
Yes, I strop on my jeans regularly. Since this is a final polishing/possibly aligning step, I haven't found that the curved surface presents a problem. It's sort of like a leather strop; that surface curves as well. For best results, I simply lay the blade completely flat on my jeans, (making sure I've made the fabric as taut as possible) and take ten or so strokes on both sides with medium pressure. DON'T try to maintain your sharpening angle, just lay the blade flat and push down a bit, and the curve created as you pull back will polish the edge whatever angle it happens to be. (Easier seen than described.) Let's face it, you aren't taking off enough metal to really ruin things anyway.
My results: Tri-Angle- scary sharp
Post-jean-strop- run from room screaming.

Of course, none of this is needed or wanted if you need a bit "toothier" edge, like for kitchen knives.
 
jabney! Welcome to Bladeforums!

Please note the date above each post: this thread is from November 2, 2002.
 
archieblue said:
does it work? I seem to have this undeniable urge to strop on my thigh after use... something like 10 times on each side. sure... part of it is dis-gunk-ifying, but something in my head tells me its good edge maintainance... I'm not sure if it actually maintains the edge or not... It seems to work ok. Is this recommended? Or frowned upon... as far as the EDGE goes... not cleanliness.
Click to expand...

Nope, I use the slotted paper wheel with white compound on it which is faster and much cleaner.
 
jabney said:
Yes, I strop on my jeans regularly. Since this is a final polishing/possibly aligning step, I haven't found that the curved surface presents a problem. It's sort of like a leather strop; that surface curves as well. For best results, I simply lay the blade completely flat on my jeans, (making sure I've made the fabric as taut as possible) and take ten or so strokes on both sides with medium pressure. DON'T try to maintain your sharpening angle, just lay the blade flat and push down a bit, and the curve created as you pull back will polish the edge whatever angle it happens to be. (Easier seen than described.) Let's face it, you aren't taking off enough metal to really ruin things anyway.
My results: Tri-Angle- scary sharp
Post-jean-strop- run from room screaming.

Of course, none of this is needed or wanted if you need a bit "toothier" edge, like for kitchen knives.
Click to expand...

is the tri-angle thingy you are talking about the spyder sharpmaker? if so you really should try other systems to find out what a really sharp edge is!
 
I occasionally strop on my jeans. The lower end knives (softer steel) will hold the edge better if you strop occasionally. Jeans seem to do fine.
 
I know this is an old thread, but I've read that ranch-hands and cowboys used the leather patch of their jeans to strop their knives.
 
ddml said:
I know this is an old thread, but I've read that ranch-hands and cowboys used the leather patch of their jeans to strop their knives.
Click to expand...

You mean the leather patch above their back pocket? That's gotta be interesting to watch how they get to it without taking their pants off.
 
Well, if they are wearing LEE cowboy jeans (which I would guess would be the preferred jeans for cowboys, Levi's having roots in making clothes for miners [a trade that doesn't require knives, I wouldn't think]), you can access the leather patch without having to remove your belt, since LEE patches are attached at the top and bottom only, allowing one to feed the belt under the patch. I can reach the leather patch pretty well, myself.

Could be apocryphal, but interesting, I think.
 
And here I thought Wranglers were the preferred jean for cowboys.. ;) I still think reaching behind your hip to strop a knife is a bit awkward. Hard to hold the right angle and keep the leather from rolling over the edge too much. I find the denim on my thigh much more accessible. :)
 
Absolutely. I wear leather jeans with green compound applied to the left thigh and black compound applied to the right thigh. I am a walking strop. :D
 
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