I am just learning honing. Currently I am using lapping film down to 1 micron. I have a home made strop with chromium oxide. I was not happy with that. So I made up a few aluminum plates that i milled flat, lapped them on a surface plate. They are really flat. Last night I glued on some leather to them snd let them dry. This afternoon i used 320 paper on my surface plate and sanded the leather flat. Well mostly flat. As my 1 piece of 320 gave up the ghost. There is 1 low spot still that I will fix. Once I get more paper tomorrow. I figure that the strop should be as flat as possible. Now the question. I bought some CrO and some iron oxide powder. What binder do you suggest? I have neatsfoot oil, or is there a better choice? The leather I am using is from Tandy Leather. It is belly leather. Thank you in advance for your help. Tom Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The CrOx I have was already mixed when I got it. I believe that most are mixed with mineral oil. I may be wrong. I sure someone here can clarify.
Go to Walmart Buy their very cheap very plain "Equate" skin care lotion Only mix a very small amount as if you make extra it will dry out before you use it again I see you have already sanded the leather to accept the paste Apply and then rub it down with an old cotton washcloth and you are good to go
As you have noticed, leather is rarely completely flat. Belly leather is the stretchiest part of the hide. Sanding off the top grain will give you a nice uniform surface to work with. I wouldn't push too hard for dead flat, as leather also has some give in its structure.
Thanks for the tip. It took 1 hour to deck flat with 320. I then gave it a light decking with 600. One more to sand. Then i will paste them with CrOx and the other with FeO. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I just finished my shave with the Boker. Earlier today went back to 5 micron then 3&1. Then to my new boards. I had 3 full days growth. Took my first stroke on my cheek. Nice and smooth. No tugging or pulling. Finished a real nice CCS ON 2 passes. Now I am ready to go see Dolly Parton tonight with my wife and kids. Should be a great night. Tom Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Question for the more knowledgeable folks: Would there be any concern about residual grit from the sanding process?
For me, I also hone my wedge blades for my SE razors. I prefer the paddle strop for those blades. So I feel more comfortable using a paddle strop for the pastes. I use a regular strop for just leather spropping. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I Guess its All Personal..I Use a Paddle Strop for Pastes...I Feel I have More Control & Sensitivity just like on the Hone..Its So Easy to Overdo Pastes in My Books..I Find..Less is More.. Billy..
Too Much Paste is Like Too Much Gun..You will End Up with Too Crisp an Edge that Can be Very Unforgiving & Not Smooth..I Only Do 1 Set of 10 Usually Coming Off the Hone or a Refresh..Maybe 2 or 3 More if its Swedish Steel..Very Lightly..Its all Down to Taste of Course..For Me..Less is More.. Billy..