Question regarding jeweler's rouge

T.C. Grant · February 20, 2009, 06:20:54 PM

I have a dumb question regarding applying jeweler's rouge to a leather strop. I bought some jeweler's rouge from Tandy the other day and when I went to put it on the strop it just didn't feel right...first let me say I am a newbie to stropping a blade etc. The rouge was really really hard...I was hard for me to get it on the leather with any consistency. Is the rouge supposed to be really hard? For some reason I assumed that it was soft like a cream...I was a little shocked that it was more like a big stick of sidewalk chalk. Any advice appreciated.

TC

Mogorilla · February 20, 2009, 07:24:38 PM

My experience with white, hard like chalk. Red, softer but still pretty firm consistency.

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · February 20, 2009, 08:23:02 PM

Just use RED Pard

tw

Marshal Will Wingam · February 20, 2009, 08:36:53 PM

I've been using the red all these years. The red is hard but still soft enough to get onto your leather or other strop material. The other day I ordered a couple new swivel knife blades from Bob Beard. He recommends using the white diamond paste or a green hone polish from Lee Valley Tools. He also recommends using poster board as a strop since it doesn't depress the way leather does.

cowboywc · February 21, 2009, 02:52:09 AM

Howdy
I have white and red from the hardware store. That white goes on easier that Tandys does.
I have one of Bob's strops with the green, I use it on his blades only. The steel in his blades is harder than
anyone elses. As far as what to make the strop out of, I have 2 1 x 2's with 2oz leather glued for the red and
white for my bladed tools. I have a piece of 1oz veg I just lay on my marble slab for my swivel knives. The green
is on a piece of belting material Bob sells. It is glued to a 1 x 4.
Hope this helps.
WC

T.C. Grant · February 22, 2009, 09:31:33 PM

Do you all put your jeweler's rouge on the back side of the leather or the finished side? I've read things about it both ways...wondering what's best.

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · February 22, 2009, 10:09:09 PM

The finished side

TW

cowboywc · February 23, 2009, 12:36:48 PM

All mine are on the flesh (rough) side.
WC

Marshal Will Wingam · February 23, 2009, 12:45:30 PM

I've also been using the flesh side of the leather. I am going to try some of the belting that Bob Beard uses. He's sending a piece with my order.