How to apply and remove compound on leather strop

J

JoshFromOk

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Oct 15, 2021
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So I got one of those cheap double sided leather strops that is glued to a wooden board. It came with some compound but didn't specify what kind. I just rubbed it against the leather and it stuck pretty good. This new stuff I ordered doesn't though. So I'd like to know how to remove the old stuff and how to apply the new stuff.
 
For removing the colored compounds, I've had luck with vegetable oil and a paper towel. As for the new stuff, is it harder?
 
gentleman_edc said:
For removing the colored compounds, I've had luck with vegetable oil and a paper towel. As for the new stuff, is it harder?
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It does seem a little harder. It doesn't stick very good. I could probably rub it harder and that might make it stick better I just wanted to make sure that was the proper way I guess. Also it may work better once I get all the old stuff off.
 
I remove the old stuff every so often, even when using the same compound. This is true especially with Carbon Steel. The compound gets loaded up.
 
gentleman_edc said:
I remove the old stuff every so often, even when using the same compound. This is true especially with Carbon Steel. The compound gets loaded up.
Click to expand...
I'm using s30v, 8cr13mov, 440 stainless and some mystery steel for some friends.

I just scraped off most of the old stuff and the new is going on fine now. It doesn't seem to cover completely but the old stuff didn't either. I was concerned about that too.
 
If it is one of those hard solid compounds, then heating up might work. Use a hairdryer to heat up the compound and strop and try again.
 
So I got a red, grey and white. I haven't tried to use the red because I use a very fine stone. The grey goes on good but the white is very flaky and doesn't look like it's covering much. I'd assume they would apply the same way because they feel the same. Is that just how the finest is supposed to behave?
 
One way to get stick compounds to take hold on leather is to lightly sand the surface of the leather to give it some velvety nap. On an inexpensive strop, there's little risk in doing this, as it can be assumed the leather itself hasn't been prepared or surface-finished in any special manner. With the velvety nap on the leather, the compound will have more surface texture to adhere to.

The white compound won't be very visible on the leather - in a microns-thick layer of application, it's essentially clear. So don't worry too much if it doesn't look like much is going on. The test for effectiveness of the compound is using it. Assuming the white is aluminum oxide (and most are), you'll see grey or black streaks of metal removal, left on the strop. As long as you can see that, you know it's working like it's supposed to.
 
Get a razor blade, ideally one for a carpet knife and use it as a scraper to get the metal and compound off your strop.

Usually the angle to hold the razor is 90 degrees off the leather.
 
Try heating the strop with a hair dryer for the hard to apply compound.
 
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The narrow side of the credit card has very little flex. And hitting it with some heat too helps getting if off and smoothing the new stuff on.
 
FYI this is where I learned the razor trick:


No need to mess with solvents or even heat.
 
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I personally never use oil on my leather strops cause I feel it would impede the new product from soaking in when done. I just scrape also.
 
For what it is worth I use a steel bristle brush to remove the old compound from both of my strops. I wil sometimes also use a scraper like a stiff putty knife to remove the old compound.
To apply new compound I use a heat gun to get the leather warm/hot and then rub on the new compound, it works well for me.
 
I've used a steel putty knife or similar paint-scraper tool, with a heavy burr filed onto the edge, to scrape & resurface strops of wood. Works just like a cabinet scraper for woodworking in that respect. I'd think it might also work pretty well on leather.
 
I dont use compundes, I use diamond spray.

Does this need to be cleaned out as well?
 
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