Garos GoodsGG4SSC-BRK Four Sided Strop with Compound

You need to know that your strop block will show up looking like the rough side was glued down on all four sides instead of rough side out on three. I contacted Garos Goods, the vendor, who indicated this was not a manufacturing defect and that they sand their strops smooth. They wrote me that it would charge with the rouge correctly. Appreciating that it is the even application of the rouge that actually cuts metal, but also that every YouTube I've seen on the subject points to using the rough side of leather for the rouge, I gave this strop a try with great skepticism.For perspective, I found this link that explained the merits of sanded strops: http://straightrazorplace.com/stropping/27363-sanding-my-strops.html.Tried the suggested rouge charging trick of heating the strop block on a glass tray in my oven at 150F for 10 minutes. Immediately charged the warm strop evenly. I highly recommend this approach for initial charging!As to the sanded strop, it worked well, but became quickly filled with metal residue and shiny slick. After stropping just one knife, the white rouge side was black. The slicing drag sound the strop originally had was gone. I cleaned it quickly with alcohol, wiping off the black residue with a paper towel. I then lightly applied a bit more white rouge. I'm guessing that this will be the procedure I have to use going forwards. After the second knife, it was once again black and shiny with residue.My first knife is now razor sharp. The second knife is proving more difficult. Trying to figure out whether it's the strop,my technique, or both.

I have really enjoyed this strop. I know that each person uses their strop in their own way as far as which compounds they use. I was taught early on that the safest blade was a sharp blade. My Grandfather was a great believer in carrying a pocket knife and thought everyone should. He carried both a three blade knife and a separate small single blade pen knife and he sharpened them frequently. He taught me two things that are very relevant to this. One thing was that the best blade treated poorly is not as good as an average blade that is kept sharp and honed. He also taught me that really nice blade that it well treated, kept sharp and only used for what it is designed for will truly last a lifetime. I keep this particular strop at my work and I strop my pocket knife a few strokes every day and spend a minute or two thinking of him. With three Grits and one plain side I almost never need to get out a stone unless I drop my knife or get a nick in it some other way.

Worthy of 5 stars but giving 4 (i almost have 3) it arrived late, very late and the leather is different on each side, for the most part, I loved the 2 sided one since I sharpen a lot of knives and I'm going to give benefit of the doubt on this one. I'd still order from this supplier but if there was one similar I would consider it too. I was extremely happy with 2 sided one but there's wrinkles in where I guess glue was applied and leather than applied. All is well, I don't use compounds so for what I need it will work along with the 2 sided one. Remember 3rd party disputes fall in a slightly differently catagory. Overall good product, just slow on arrival. Yes I'd still by again. If I didn't not have several others I use and replace before they they wear out so I won't be hung out to dry let's say, I'd be upset but it's here and now stripping time. Let's see how she does on Hitachi Blue steel after coming off stones. Peace yallAfter using all day today after it arrived, it was actually worth the wait.

Not much to say. It’s exactly as described and keeps my pocket knives hair whittling sharp.

all four sides is the flesh side ,hay you people who make this the ruff side is what you use to strop knifes not the flesh side maybe 3 sides ruff and one side flesh would be ok and it went up 10 dollars plus no more free shipping mine was over a week late no one got back with me I e- mailed 3 times I would recommend a dlt strop there awesome and $29 bucks and the bark river compounds white and green the dlt strop uses sharp shooter leather with the ruff grain running the right way and it does matter its double sided and 17 and I half long by 3 wide. This one is 8 inch's of four sides of flesh sided leather and a 3 1-2 handle by 1 and 5-8 wide

Item arrived still smelling of the glue used to attach the leather to the wood, they must of made it to order. Wood is one piece turned on a lathe. The finish of the wood is utilitarian but nothing that affects its intended use. I had trouble charging the leather with the compound, it just clumped on the surface and just got worse with use. I had to hold it about a foot over the stove burner for a few seconds, just enough to slightly melt the compound and then rubbed it in with a towel. It's been good to go since. Now my knives are razor sharp. This is my first strop so I have nothing to compare it to but I do know it works.

Definitely a buy, something that needs to be in everyones knife sharpening process. Look up some videos on how to apply the compond, takes a little technique. I warmed my strop up in the toaster oven some to apply. I also marked on the wood what color goes where and the coarseness of it so when i recondition and reapply i dont mix em.

Wanted to add strpping to my sharpening skills. The compound that comes with the strop applies easily, only the white is a little difficult. Have been using it, and it works the way it is supposed too. I am new to stropping, so do not have much experience to compare with, but would buy it again.