How to Flatten, Resurface, and Refinish A Leather Strop

Here I briefly demonstrate then talk thru the various steps, methods and ways to flatten and resurface a leather strop with sandpaper.
I also discuss possible issues to look out for and what finishing steps you may or may not want to take prior to loading the strop with a compound or emulsion.
Sandpaper Used: a.co/d/eC8OFcL

[@Knifeguyyy]

Excellent video man!! There’s a lot of bad info on strop maintenance out there but this one is spot on. Great job.

[@MailmanDownEDC]

A mutual good friend, Mr. Ryan A., 😁suggested I watch this video since I’m going to be purchasing a few Jende kangaroo strops for my KME Sharpener and will be loading them with Gunny Juice. This is what I needed! Thanks! Subbed as well.

[@stroppystuff641]

I think some of the shininess you're getting might actually be the leather burnishing which will indeed close the pores up if that's your intention then imo you're on the right path.

[@nikobobich9726]

thank you for this.. this is exactly what im going to do on my kangaroo and cow strops before I put the jende compounds on it.. they are also jende strops like mailmandownedc mentioned a few months ago... I think I will just buy 3m sandpaper all the way up to 2000 grit... The one question I had is it ok to wet the 3m sandpaper and sand it wet then let the strop dry inbetween each grit?

[@EdgeStoneKnives]

No, definitely do it all dry

[@nikobobich9726]

A friend of mine who is an expert in this is saying distilled water only in a spray bottle very sparingly is ok to use on leathers but small amount. He also said can use distilled to clean the sandpaper too and to let everything dry fully before applying compounds. He was saying to use microfiber clothes but good fine ones too for nanocloth strops. He said to use horse hair brushes and small amounts of distilled too if I want to be safe. I showed him your knowledge and video and he was saying you are on the Right path with this and he was impressed. He basically said sandpaper, microfiber, abrasive sticks ,horsehair brushes and distilled water sparingly is all OK on leathers no cream or additives

[@davestelling]

Very good tutorial. Are you familiar with Jende's "Nanocloth" material strops? Depending on the results I get with the 4 micron emulsion and a cowhide leather strop, I might move up and try out the Nanocloth. Interesting design, but they are a tad pricey...

[@EdgeStoneKnives]

@@davestelling Yeah but I still prefer kangaroo it over everything

[@nikobobich9726]

I Hate asking to many questions and bothering. I USUALLY ALWAYS do my own due dilligence when it comes to stuff like this. I have multiple expensive kangaroo bench strops also that I spent a lot on and want to make sure I don't or will F them up. Is the 3m silicone carbide dark sandpaper on amazon with the white porsh or whatever car auto one they sell in various grits looks like black maybe color from like 1000. 1500 2000 and 2500 ok to use or does it have to be specific for leather. They also have another brand with no car on it on the front packaging. That one is colored yellow and red packaging looks like maybe a little lighter color sandpaper greyish black. I just noticed amazon has 2 different 3m branded silicone carbide styles and not sure if it matters or not. The one I recently bought without the car on it is ultra fine in 320 and 600 but its black paper when I looked at it today. You said at the end of the video the darker color 3m paper for more is the way to go and a few bucks more. If its just any wet or dry 3m that's silicone carbide that's perfect some guys on there are selling them for like way to much for a 5 pack and some people are out of stock for the ones without the car on it. Its insane for sandpaper. Not sure what to do because home depot out here in LA where I'm at is out of them also for yellow and red packaged wet or dry paper in 1000+ grits. Only auto polish available on amazon. I'm am very very grateful for you help bro and knowledge you have no idea its putting me on the right path for sure keep up the good work man.

[@EdgeStoneKnives]

I used this, the cheapest stuff I could get off Amazon and didn't have any issues. I think I started with 220 or 320 and finished at 2000. a.co/d/eC8OFcL

[@nikobobich9726]

@@EdgeStoneKnives ya but which 3m version is good for the silicone carbide they sell? the one with the car on the packaging or the other one in yellow red and black packaging they only sell 2 brands of silicone wet and dry. Should I just call them and ask what is leather safe? which one of the 3m would you buy post the link if you can to it if you had the option to buy 3m like you said you would if you spent more money.... lmk im going to put an order in for 1000 and 2000 grits I have ultra fine silicone 3m already in 320 and 600 in the yellow/black/red packaging which I think should be fine... I just don't know which one 1000+ and up to buy. The ones without car in 9 x 11 are sold out everywhere and hella expensive or long waits on amazon

[@EdgeStoneKnives]

It honestly doesn't matter which one

[@nikobobich9726]

@@EdgeStoneKnives car one it is lol imma buy the bundle 1000 15 2 and 25 9x11 bundle

[@i2ehan]

Thank you for this! Subbed! Question. Both Gunny Juice and Stroppy Stuff are very expensive. Any alternatives you'd recommend? Have you tried the Venev diamond pastes?

[@EdgeStoneKnives]

You bet! So glad it was helpful. Honestly they are worth the cost because they perform so much better than anything else out there. Stroppy Stuff is quite a bit cheaper at $37/30mL from Gritomatic or $32/30mL direct from the maker in the UK vs $20/10mL or $47/30mL for Gunny Juice. If you're really on a budget though, you can buy diamond powder of your desired size on eBay and mix it with distilled water in a spray bottle. Just know that you might get agglomeration issues, will definitely need to shake it before use, and the particle size tolerances won't be as tight. But for a few bucks you can get a lot of diamond powder! If you're not a DIY type then I'm sure the Venev paste will do a fine job. They put out quality products. Good luck!

[@stroppystuff641]

The venev pastes suck. If you're on a budget then I'd suggest the chromium oxide bars or doing as suggested in the other reply by the OP. Don't breathe in that diamond dust when making your own compound though, it will shred your organs.