How to apply sharpening compound to a hone

This is how I apply sharpening compound to a leather hone or strop.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• sharpen
• sharpening
• leather
• strop
• hone
• knife
• blade
• edge
• green
• compound

[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.

[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.

[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

[MSR465]

Thank you for your response, I will buy some.

msr465

[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.

[MSR465]

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

[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.

[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]

@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.

[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]

@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.

[djlegacy96]

hi what are these abrasive compounds called

where did you get yours?

[NechakoRiver]

@nsw1535

I replied on the other video. :)

[nsw1535]

@NechakoRiver

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

[NechakoRiver]

@nsw1535

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

[nsw1535]

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

[NechakoRiver]

It is the smooth side.

[mrbeans120317]

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

[pingpongme]

White=aluminum oxide

green=chromium oxide

black=iron oxide

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