Originally Posted by
george wilson
The likelihood of rounding the edge by stropping depends upon what the strop is made of,and your technique. I use a MDF strop which is not prone to round the edge unless the user lifts up the blade towards the end of the stroke. I don't do that,but many may. No telling what different people might do.
I wear a 1 1/2" belt custom made of hard English harness leather(The harness maker made it for me. Probably will outlast me!) I take the end out of the keeper and use its HARD suede side as a strop when sitting in the living room. It brings back my SLIGHTLY less than razor sharp ball bearing steel blade pocket knife blade,which I made, to razor keen ness. I take light strokes,and may do 100 if needed. There is no compound on the belt. Certainly gets the knife razor sharp again. I get about 8" of belt to strop on when I pull it out of the leather keeper. Only use about 3" to strop on. I CHANGE ANGLES a lot. That includes the initial stropping after honing the blade on the last stone.
I find I don't need to strop after the UF ceramic stone. It will get razor sharp just off the stone,easily shaving hairs. But,part of that is how I USE the stone. Angles,etc..
I repeat: ITS ALL ABOUT TECHNIQUE that you bring to bear on the strop. Not necessarily the strop itself,provided the strop is made of good material itself,properly compounded (for initial stropping just after stoning),etc..