So yesterday we loaded up the strops, you can watch that video. As you can see today after the first loading only, you see how black the 1×4 and the 1×6 are still as compared to loaded several times. So in the future what you can do is load this twice or even three times before you start using it.

But today’s video is going to be about using the strop. One of the things I want to talk about is our 2×6. I don’t know if you get real close, I don’t know if you can see some of the scratches that are in there.

This is durable stuff. Now we did this on purpose, taking the tip of the knife and literally scratching it to a point where to see if it would break. So it holds up.

Obviously you’re going to want to use these edge trailing, not edge leading. So I’ll just run through and explain the dynamics of that. It’s probably easiest to use the largest of the strops here.

This has a dynamic. The thickness of this will allow you to use compression. And don’t forget we filled up these columns with abrasive.

So if you push down, it exposes the abrasive and allows you to get more aggressive at the same grit. Or you can go very, very lightly and tickle the edge. Very lightly finishing strop.

That’s what I recommend. Some guys get on there and really start pushing hard. Again, a quarter micron, you really shouldn’t have to do that.

But the lower grits like our 12 micron and 8 micron and 15 micron, you can get away with a little more pressure. So that compression plays into the game here, which is what makes this medium different than leather or wood. So with that said, one of the beautiful things about this is that you can use it in any direction.

It’s multi-directional, edge trailing a whole way, but there’s no polarity to it. It’s basically the same forward, backwards, left, right. It feels the same.

So it has a very homogenous feel and feedback to it. So basically the best way to do it is find your angle. And if you’re low, it kind of glides across.

It has a little bit of pull to it and draw. But it’s very, no feedback. But once you hit your angle, once you start rolling the edge up a little bit, it will feel, you’ll feel it catch right there for me.

That’s as far as you should go, if not a little bit less. So for me, nothing here, right there is where I feel it. And here, right there as well.So this is, it has tactile feedback. So you can feel when you’re actually hitting that edge of the edge. And again, very, very light.

Pinkies up to stroke. And that will tickle the edge. Or you can put some pressure on there. Again, not too much. And really start abrading more heavily, depending on what you want to do.

And again, it’ll take it even if you scratch the tip across the top, which I don’t recommend. But it’s not going to break. You’re not really cutting it. You can see that scratch.

And it’s still good to go. It has that line in it. Of course, just like doing it on leather. But it’s not falling apart. You don’t see any black nano cloth sort of falling off. So it’s very tight.

So that’s with a pocket knife. Again, something like a reed knife that we make. A gender reed knife. Same thing. Just get your different angles. This is two different angles.

So you basically find your angles. Got a lower one here. And a raised one for right-handed. Very simple that way. And kitchen knives, which is a little bit more. Obviously, again, find your angle. Work your way up. And you don’t need a lot of pressure to start. But you can also use pressure to get the desired results.

And that’s what’s so great about the gender nano cloth. Is that it’s dynamacy. Use pressure. It has more abrasive action at the same grit. Or finishing light touch. Just to tickle that edge and get it into place.

So again, very dynamic.

Strops: Jende Nanocloth Ultra, 0.25 micron in 1×4″, 1×6, 2×6″, and 210x70mm
Emulsion: Jende Poly Diamond Emulsion, 0.25 micron
Knives: Benchmade CPM20CV, Jende Student Reed Knife, D2 Damascus Chef Knife