On 16 Jan 2003 at 12:34, Chris Freemesser wrote:

> Would using a leather strop after the 2000 grit paper make the edge 
> appreciably sharper, or would the difference really not be enough to 
> justify the cost of a strop (it would be a birthday gift, actually). 
> If the strop WOULD be a good idea, do I need to use the green 
> charging compound commonly available, or do I just use the leather 
> as-is?

Many of us like to use the strops after scary-sharp. Of course, 
sharpening techniques are sort of like religions. Each method has 
its advocates, everybody does things a bit differently, and over the 
years you just get to a point where you figure out what's best for 
you after trying lots of different approaches. 

As to specifics, yes you charge the strop with very fine compound. 
If you buy a strop from galoot Keith De'Grau, it comes with a jar of 
compound, something like 10000 grit as I recall. It's amazing stuff.

http://www.handamerican.com/

is Keith's web site.

-Ken, just a happy user

Ken Greenberg (ken@c...)
400 Los Gatos Blvd., Los Gatos, CA 95032
woodworking page: http://www.calast.com/personal/ken/wood.htm
books page: http://www.calast.com/personal/ken/booksfor.htm