Custom stropping/doublestuff pouch

[toomzz]

Hi guys,

since Spyderco brings out more and more (non-stainless)knives out suitable for stropping the idea kept going through my head to make a 'pocketstrop'.
I have been running around quite some years with that doublestuff stone from Spyderco in my daily bag. One day the idea was there; combine the pouch for the stone with the strop. In such a manner that the inside of your bag won't get smudged with the compound you use on the strop. Here it is, I just couldn't leave stamping that gorgeous :spyder: in the flap :rolleyes:
Sofar I made two, on for myself, and one for a very special person :p

I need to think of a way to make a more decent strap for it. The antler seems to be a nice touch. This strap can not be attached to pouch because it is in the way when stropping. The strop must be on a flat surface to be used (loose in the hand for the bold ones ;) )

Enjoy and cheers,
Tomas

[Evil D]

Make a strap that's attached to the side of the bottom of the pouch that wraps around and either has a snap button or use some kind of elastic so you can stretch it up and around the flap to hold it down.

I don't use free hand stones but i like the idea of having a strop with me. I've thought about something like that for my wallet but the way they get deformed from being in your pocket wouldn't work so well for a strop.

[toomzz]

I thought about that idea, but in order to lay the pouch totally flat on any surface, or fold it when stropping there should be nothing attached. No ´appendices´ to the product, they are in the way when stropping. :rolleyes:

T.

[JD Spydo]

Personally I've been using the leather pouch on my Spyderco Doublestuff stone for stropping for the past 4 years or so. Now I'm not going to say that it's as good as a premium strop but for tuning up a good edge it seems to work good for me.

I use the side edges of the Doublestuff pouch for stropping as the rough leather seems to do a really decent job of stropping.

This is interesting and it does make me wonder why they couldn't implement on side of a Doublestuff leather pouch to be used for stropping. Like I said the side edges ( the really rough exposed leather) really do a decent job for me on folders and fixed plain edged blades. I'm still wondering what would be good for stropping Spyderedges in the field?

[jackknifeh]

Personally I've been using the leather pouch on my Spyderco Doublestuff stone for stropping for the past 4 years or so. Now I'm not going to say that it's as good as a premium strop but for tuning up a good edge it seems to work good for me.

I use the side edges of the Doublestuff pouch for stropping as the rough leather seems to do a really decent job of stropping.

This is interesting and it does make me wonder why they couldn't implement on side of a Doublestuff leather pouch to be used for stropping. Like I said the side edges ( the really rough exposed leather) really do a decent job for me on folders and fixed plain edged blades. I'm still wondering what would be good for stropping Spyderedges in the field?

I don't do much with serrated edges at all but I have used the edge of a leather strop to get inside serrations. Just make sure some compound is on the side edge of the leather. Also, I've heard of using a leather boot lace treated with a compound. I don't know how you would hold the lace in place. I'm sure anyone who uses a boot lace has solved that problem. Maybe glue it to a skinny piece of wood about 1/8" thick? A small pain stirrer might work and glue the lace to the side of it.

Jack

Jack

[Evil D]

My understanding with serrations is that you sharpen the ground side just enough to get a slight burr, then strop the other side and you're good to go. I've also heard of the boot lace thing but i haven't tried it.

[toomzz]

Sharpening serrated edges is with triangular rods no problem. Indeed could you strop (only) the opposite side. Finally I am still wondering if stropping modern hard stainless-es has any use, due to the fact that the Cr-contents = 12% + which makes it more resistant to abrasion. If I end a good stainless (let's say VG10) with an UF-stone, will stropping still enhance sharpness after that? I doubt it. Any thoughts?

[jackknifeh]

Sharpening serrated edges is with triangular rods no problem. Indeed could you strop (only) the opposite side. Finally I am still wondering if stropping modern hard stainless-es has any use, due to the fact that the Cr-contents = 12% + which makes it more resistant to abrasion. If I end a good stainless (let's say VG10) with an UF-stone, will stropping still enhance sharpness after that? I doubt it. Any thoughts?

I recently got a Spyderco UF ceramic stone and have been amazed at the edge I can get using it. It puts the edge on a knife I used to need a strop for to shave arm hair in one pass. Now I use it for light touch ups and/or putting a finishing edge on the knife. I plan on getting the fine stone later but I already have stones that will do for now. I'd use it only for touch ups probably. I don't normally free hand sharpen except for touch ups. But, having the UF stone I can take a slightly used knife and get the hair whittling edge back in just a few strokes. The times the knife has gotten a little duller is when I want the fine stone.

Having said that I still seem to get just a touch sharper edge with my strop. I use normally a leather glued to wood strop with DMT 6 micron diamond paste. I have the 1 micron paste also but the 6 seems to be all that is necessary. So far, no matter how sharp I get a knife on stones the strop still takes it just a bit farther. The strop removes such a small amount of steel that it is only as good as the edge it starts working on.

I have been stropping for about 3 years and have gotten pretty good at it. I think with more skill I could get even better results with the UF stone. I believe the tool is top notch and it's only limits are the skill of the person (me) using it.

Jack

[NYRich]

I don't do much with serrated edges at all but I have used the edge of a leather strop to get inside serrations. Just make sure some compound is on the side edge of the leather. Also, I've heard of using a leather boot lace treated with a compound. I don't know how you would hold the lace in place. I'm sure anyone who uses a boot lace has solved that problem. Maybe glue it to a skinny piece of wood about 1/8" thick? A small pain stirrer might work and glue the lace to the side of it.

Jack

Jack

Jack,

When using a bootlace (I actually use rawhide lacing) I clamp the knife in a padded vise (edge up) and run the loaded lacing along each serration. The "trick" is to keep the lace taut so that you can maintain the proper angle. Also, by keeping the lace short, it's easier to keep it taut and as it won't develop a "belly that will result in the angle changing.

I guess it's possible to glue the lace to a board, but I find that keeping the knife stationary is easier.

[angusW]

Jack,

When using a bootlace (I actually use rawhide lacing) I clamp the knife in a padded vise (edge up) and run the loaded lacing along each serration. The "trick" is to keep the lace taut so that you can maintain the proper angle. Also, by keeping the lace short, it's easier to keep it taut and as it won't develop a "belly that will result in the angle changing.

I guess it's possible to glue the lace to a board, but I find that keeping the knife stationary is easier.

I wonder if using the lace in a bow setup would work. That way you wouldn't have to worry about keeping it taught and at the proper angle at the same time.

[mattman]

Toomz-
That looks great!
How about some kind of magnetic closure system? I'm thinking of sliding a piece of sheet metal in the strop-flap, and a magnet hidden on the stone side?

[toomzz]

Mattman, thanks for the compliment. I thought about your idea as well, but I carry the pouch in my Jumbo every day. Among it is my (leather as well :rolleyes: ) wallet with my bankcards. I had some real issues over the years with bankcards and magnetics. Magnets simply erase your bankcardaccesinfo and therefore are being avoided.

T.

[araneae]

I have been making mini strops for some time using a small plastic slabs that my dad procures from work. They are about 2"x4". I have some with ultrafine wet/dry paper, and others with a piece of leather loaded with compound. That's a nice pouch setup.