Strop Compound

[Jerry Thompson]

Would the green compound one finds in the Borg work as well as one from a Wood Working business?

[Jim Koepke]

I had no idea they sold stropping compound at the Borgs.

I bought my last stick at a lapidary (gem & mineral) supply store.

jtk

[george wilson]

I only use the green chromium oxide compound that LV sells. Other green compounds can also contain coarser aluminum oxide grits. I just like to be sure. Gesswein and Rio Grande jeweler's supplies sells reliable compounds,but no telling what is in stuff the borg sells. They aren't specialists.

I bought some off ebay,which was NOT GOOD!

[Sean Hughto]

I agree with George. The LV stuff is excellent and a 12 oz bar should last you years. It cost like $12. Why would you skimp and take a chance.

[David Weaver]

Other green compounds can also contain coarser aluminum oxide grits.

I agree with this. I've tried four different ones, they're all plenty fine to use as a strop compound, but some of the $1.99 wax sticks are really hard. Most have a bit coarser aluminum oxide.

The only finer alternative (which is more expensive) are the compounds that are chromium oxide only.

If you have any woodworking store around, they all sell the "microfine" compound that IIRC is made by formax - the stuff LV sells - it's IIRC again, about 70% aluminum oxide and that does most of the work, but it's a softer wax that's easier to use by hand.

If cost is an issue, and you see a stick for $1.99 or $2.99 at the borg and want to try it, then go ahead and get one, and get a little bit of mineral oil or something to go with it. A drop of mineral oil on your strop and then rub the stick on it and it's not such a big deal that it's hard. (then you can wait until you have another order from somewhere so that you're not getting a $7 item and paying $10 of shipping.

[Jim Matthews]

Any jewelers in your neighborhood?
Donuts or Knish in exchange, mebbe?

They probably use the stuff by the pound.
I have a bar of the LV product that is
now on it's third owner (me).

A little goes a long way for a weekend woodworker.