Stropping with LV geen compound

[Ken Werner]

Today I tried something new with my stropping technique. I usually just use the Lee Valley green compound [0.5 micron] on a piece of 3/4 MDF. I crayon it on. It gets a bit bumpy and sticky, and shows dark grey spots where the metal stays.

Today, I sprinkled a few drops of my usual oilstone lube - kerosene. The result was a slippery smooth paste, that seemed to be easier to use. I went from my black oilstone to the strop, and the edge is excellent.

Just wondering if anybody else has tried this, and if not, then please do, and tell us what you think.

Ken

[mike holden]

Ken,
I use a couple drops of oil on a leather strop, and then scribble on the compound.
This allows the compound to spread and adhere to the leather. This is how I was taught to use a strop, so I never had your "AHA!" moment.
Makes sense though, that the hard "crayon" of compound would need something to dilute and spread for use.
Mike