How to apply sharpening compound to a hone

[vjanda1]

My compound crumbles when I try to rub it into the leather. Any tips? Should I heat it or moisten it perhaps?

[NechakoRiver]

@vjanda1

Are you using lots of pressure? That can cause it to crumble and not go on evenly.

I find a short quick motion with not too much pressure works the best for me. The friction seems to warm it up just enough that it goes on well. I once tried using heat but I found the compound went on too thick and made a mess.

You really don't need much on the strop, a thin coat with a few gaps in it works just fine.

[BALDMAXXX]

What a good idea. I will give it a try. Thanks for the video Sir.

[NechakoRiver]

@BALDMAXXX

No problem, I'm glad you found it helpful.

[davidplatenkamp]

Look at nozh2002. He uses "too much" compound on his strop, and his knives are more than scary sharp. He also heats it up before he applies it.

[vxAREKxv]

toooooooo much campound

[ronaldbrashears]

Your putting way too much compund! With sharpening compound less is more!

[NechakoRiver]

@ronaldbrashears

This way works for me, but you are right that it is very easy to use too much compound.

[MSR465]

Thank you for your response, I will buy some.

msr465

[MSR465]

What is the green stuff? Where can I buy it?

[NechakoRiver]

@MSR465

It is green sharpening or honing compound. I got mine from Lee Valley and KnivesShipFree sells the one used by Bark River. The compound is softer in the Bark River version so it is easier to apply to the strop/hone.

[djlegacy96]

hi what are these abrasive compounds called

where did you get yours?

[NechakoRiver]

@djlegacy96

It is green sharpening compound and you can get it at KnivesShipFree or Lee Valley. The KnivesShipFree version is a bit softer and easier to apply.

[nsw1535]

There is a smooth side of the leather and rough? Please reply!

[NechakoRiver]

@nsw1535

Leather has a smooth and rough side to it. Use the smooth side for sharpening.

[nsw1535]

@NechakoRiver

Ok, i'm using me Hone, both sides are smooth, but I can't get an edge.

[NechakoRiver]

@nsw1535

I replied on the other video. :)

[TheBeebopper]

@NechakoRiver This is what I believed (smooth side up) and practiced, especially when using a clean strop. I've seen today from a leather supplies website that the leather (vegetable tanned, also a new one on me) is stuck flesh side up to a board with compound applied (which may be valve grinding paste). They also recommend that oil is used. I think the oil will swell up the leather in order to correct compression through high usage. This was to sharpen leather worker's tools,

[NechakoRiver]

@TheBeebopper

I have heard of people doing this. I have some leather kicking around so someday I'll have to give it a try and see how it goes.

[kragier]

@NechakoRiver So does the leather sharpen or hone the blade. I have seen people do it with kitchen knives and (obviously) straight razors. Does it keep the blade sharp, or does it make it sharp.

o3o

[NechakoRiver]

@kragier

The leather is great for maintaining an edge but you can also sharpen a slightly dulled knife with it too. If I'm sharpening a dull knife I will use some fine sandpaper before using the strop.

[mrbeans120317]

what side of the leather is that the smooth or rough side anyone plz reply?

[NechakoRiver]

It is the smooth side.

[samuraiofwar]

those look like they are from leevalley

[NechakoRiver]

Yep, they are from Lee Valley.

[MattHutch18]

Great instructional video, I bought a Bark River knife a little while ago and I absolutely love it but I was having a tough time sharpening it until I found this video. Now I put convex edges on all of my knives.

[NechakoRiver]

Thanks :)

Convex edges really are the way to go.

[yeppyea]

When you put on a fresh coat of the compound, how many sharpening sessions is that good for? Thanks and great vid

[NechakoRiver]

The compound lasts a long time I rarely ever change it.

[guiltybystander77]

I've seen green, brown, and white compounds. Is the color coding for different ammounts of courseness? And if so, which is the finest?

[NechakoRiver]

Generally white is fine, green is medium and black is coarse.

[pingpongme]

White=aluminum oxide

green=chromium oxide

black=iron oxide

That's the pattern, but there isnt any universal system for colour-coding abrasives.

[chrissept21]

what does the compound do

[NechakoRiver]

It acts as an abrasive.

[Mantinae]

Is ``Sharpening compound`` and the thing we use to remove rust on blades and polish them (like Metal Glo and Flitz products) the same thing? I mean, can you use ANY kind of compound on your leather hone, or do you use some SPECIFIC compounds?

[NechakoRiver]

No, they are a bit different. Metal polish would probably work but actual sharpening compounds are better.

Knives Ship Free sells the compound and a leather strop.

[Mantinae]

Thank you

[jedirifleman]

if you spray WD40 on the leather 1st the green chrome slides on smooth as silk.

[socratesthecabdriver]

can someone tell me what kind of compounds i can use?

[NechakoRiver]

Green and black are the most common for use on knives.

The black compound is more abrasive than green.