{"id":385,"date":"2026-06-03T05:54:45","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T05:54:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/?page_id=385"},"modified":"2026-07-08T12:08:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T02:08:59","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"385\" class=\"elementor elementor-385\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6af4f351 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6af4f351\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f6303bf e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1f6303bf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45c95a76 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"45c95a76\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e1068c7 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"2e1068c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f223a78 elementor-icon-list--layout-inline elementor-align-center elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"2f223a78\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items elementor-inline-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-inline-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Home<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-inline-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/about-us\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39f5c11 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"39f5c11\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6ff6b4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c6ff6b4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0e36e7 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e0e36e7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"775\" src=\"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/logo-e1779950398641-1024x992.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-77\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/logo-e1779950398641-1024x992.webp 1024w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/logo-e1779950398641-500x484.webp 500w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/logo-e1779950398641-300x291.webp 300w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/logo-e1779950398641-768x744.webp 768w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/logo-e1779950398641-1536x1488.webp 1536w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/logo-e1779950398641.webp 1545w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7dd62f4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7dd62f4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-56c526d elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"56c526d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInRight&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAbout Southern Strop Co.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tEvery strop reflects years of self-taught techniques, product testing, and careful design iteration refinement, perfecting my methods creating an evolution in edge maintenance.\n<br><br>\nI work with unique, purpose-chosen materials, to create products that excell.\nThese tools are the result of very deliberate design choices and while their visual appeal is undeniable, these products are far more than aesthetics.\nEvery selected thickness, material, and design element exists from purpose - born descsisions from years of dedication to both function and form.\n<br><br>\nMy ambition has never been solely to create functional products from advanced materials, but to make a commitment to deliver timeless, top-tier tools of uncompromising quality,<br><br>\nThough my goal extended beyond producing premium tools - I strived to create a uniquely personal experience - and succeeded.\n<br><br>\nCrafted with meticulous precision, my tools are built for a lifetime of hard use. Each piece bears my maker\u2019s mark and with it, the reputation behind my name.\nFor that reason, I remain uncompromising in my selection of materials, methods, design, and standards of craftsmanship.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f13b3b9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f13b3b9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-61003d5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"61003d5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10761cb elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"10761cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat Makes SSC. Different?\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tI embarked on this journey of discovery with a holistic approach, applying core principles to every action I took to ensure that all strategic decisions were results-driven.\n<br><br>\nUltimately, I selected two highly specialised, advanced materials that met the most rigorous standards - purpose-driven choices that are as unique as they are functional, each embodying both precision and intention.\n\nEvery strop is crafted with a singular goal: delivering unmatched performance.\n<br><br>\nAchieving this starts with a clean cut of naturally finished Kangaroo leather, every skin meticulously selected and individually vetted for its fine, consistent, and superior surface finish. This leather is then mounted onto a singular, hard, lightweight, precision CNC-cut piece of gloss black polycarbonate.\n<br><br>\nPolycarbonate also known as Acrylic and is essentially a rigid thermoplastic, that is naturally lightweight, dimensionally stable, non pourous, is completely flat and will not warp.\n<br><br>\nCombined they create a unique stropping sensation, being light in hand, yet giving you a confident firm and stable feel. Their hard base mimics the familiar, stable support of a sharpening stone, while maintaining expected results of leather.<br><br>\nThe end result?\nA more confident, controlled stropping experience that feels unlike anything else on the market.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-02c4deb e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"02c4deb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b25b42b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b25b42b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250827_125016_instagram-high-1024x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-610\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250827_125016_instagram-high-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250827_125016_instagram-high-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250827_125016_instagram-high-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250827_125016_instagram-high-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250827_125016_instagram-high-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250827_125016_instagram-high-768x769.jpg 768w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250827_125016_instagram-high.jpg 1079w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f6a4c9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4f6a4c9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f83269 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3f83269\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b87b4d6 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b87b4d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250917_202129_instagram-standard-1024x1024.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-515\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250917_202129_instagram-standard-1024x1024.webp 1024w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250917_202129_instagram-standard-500x500.webp 500w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250917_202129_instagram-standard-100x100.webp 100w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250917_202129_instagram-standard-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250917_202129_instagram-standard-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250917_202129_instagram-standard-768x769.webp 768w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250917_202129_instagram-standard.webp 1079w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ed353d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6ed353d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b023a8 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"7b023a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInRight&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhy These  Materials Matter.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.My choice to use such a thin cut of Kangaroo leather is very intentional. While some may assume thicker leather is better, the truth is that thinner, high-quality leather actually improves user experience and performance.<br><br>\n\nThicker cowhide strops can easily deform under pressure - in simple terms, it can create a subtle \"wave\" in a thick leather surface that can be almost unnoticeable - but these \"waves\" can rise up and over the apex - the very tip of blades cutting edge, rolling it and therefore dulling it, rather then refining it.<br><br>\nBut the thin Kangaroo leather I use resists this \"wave-like\" deformation - even under pressure, helping you maintain a consistent angle with less effort, leaving you to focus more on precision and technique ultimately meaning you spend less time stropping.<br><br>\n\nThen there\u2019s the precision, CNC cut polycarbonate base - an equally intentional choice.\nIts a strong thermoplastic, whether clear or dyed, is inherently lightweight, completely flat, non porous and will not warp - adding to its high level of dimensionally stability. It offers an exceptional level of rigidity and a strength-to-weight ratio, meaning it wont flex like commonly used timber(s) of the same thicknesses would.\n<br><br>\nThis combination delivers a refined, intuitive, experience, characterised by a unique yet familiar tactile response - closely resembling that of an ultra-fine sharpening stone. All while retaining the full performance advantages of a Kangaroo leather strop.<br><br>\n\nThis combination of materials is not only more forgiving but also much more effective - especially for beginners or those still honing their stropping technique. My strops can cut your learning curve significantly. Even for the most proficient, seasoned sharpeners they will deliver exceedingly superior results.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d51f185 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d51f185\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e9ea2cd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e9ea2cd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39a4d23 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"39a4d23\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKangaroo Leather, Why Is It So Special?\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tKangroo leather is so effective due to it's unique properties.\nIt's renound for its fine, and tightly woven flesh fibers along with its abundance of natural abrasive silicates.\n<br><br>\nFor those unfamiliar, kangaroo leather is a highly sustainable material sourced from Australia\u2019s well-managed populations, where regulated culling supports well established environmental practices.\n<br>\nIts performance is driven by a fine, tightly woven, and highly uniform fiber structure, combined with naturally occurring abrasive silicates.\n<br><br>\nThis gives the material a notable level of inherent abrasiveness, allowing it to perform exceptionally well even in its bare state.\n<br>\nStructurally, kangaroo leather is lightweight, dimensionally stable, and highly resistant to deformation under pressure. This greatly minimises the potential of surface \u201cwave\u201d effect common in thicker leathers, where surface malleability can cause the material to roll over the apex and rounding the edge.\n<br><br>\nTesting across a range of stainless and tool steels showed excellent burr removal and effective realignment of oyur apex, with consistently strong performance - even with high-HRC steels, particularly notable when paired with a quality diamond <br><br>\n,emulsion and paired with a firm completely flat substrate like polycarbonate.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11935f8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"11935f8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-902efc5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"902efc5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"347\" height=\"371\" src=\"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20260507_195224_instagram-high-lw7y5q.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-553\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20260507_195224_instagram-high-lw7y5q.webp 347w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20260507_195224_instagram-high-lw7y5q-281x300.webp 281w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 347px) 100vw, 347px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5cb3bb e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f5cb3bb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30515fe e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"30515fe\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11ce199 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"11ce199\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"730\" src=\"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250815_055514_gallery-high-1024x934.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-503\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250815_055514_gallery-high-1024x934.webp 1024w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250815_055514_gallery-high-500x456.webp 500w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250815_055514_gallery-high-300x274.webp 300w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250815_055514_gallery-high-768x700.webp 768w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250815_055514_gallery-high.webp 1053w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-71b8952 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"71b8952\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28c86d7 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"28c86d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInRight&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tApplying Abrasives To SSC. Strops.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAnother major advantage in my choice of Kangaroo leather is how good a substrate it is. It's not only an exceptional leather to strop with bare, but also it's surprising how effortlessly it accepts any compound, paste or emulsion. Its compatible with all stropping abrasives and the results you can obtain from the combination of the two is phenomenal.\n<br><br>\nThanks to it's fine, tightly packed structure, they require only a small amount of your chosen cutting compound to evenly coat them.\nHolding any abrasive in its fine fibers remarkably well, without soaking in exsessive ammounts, like much more pourous cowhide leather can - leading to saturation and clogging of the fibers and pours of the leather surface, leaving it stiff and hard once dry.\n<br><br>\nAll these qualities combined makes for - faster drying times, less abrasive waste, and a smoother, more uniform application.<br><br>\nThis matters for the end user, especially for those using high-end abrasives, like Mono-crystalline or Poly-crystalline diamond or CBN emulsions.\n<br><br>\nThis translates to reliable performance and tangible real-world savings.\nIn short, these properties makes my strops exceptionally easy to apply abrasives to and highly cost-effective.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e20768c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e20768c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-48a79e3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"48a79e3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-748b99e elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"748b99e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAbrasives And Apexes.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tStudies have shown that in precise cutting, unpolished bevels create friction during cuts, reducing both accuracy and overall cut quality.\nFrom testing it was found a higher polished edge glides more smoothly and holds its keenness longer.\n<br><br>\nThis study was able to show that premium, wear-resistant knife steels - often referred to as \"Super Steels\" simply don\u2019t perform at their best with an unpolished edge.\n<br><br>\nAlso, it was found that when refining an edge, there\u2019s an approximate 1:10 ratio between the abrasives grit size and the resulting scratch depth.\nFor example, honing or stropping with a 0.5\u202fmicron abrasive produces scratches around 0.05\u202fmicron in depth.\n<br><br>\nFine abrasives don\u2019t make an edge sharper as such, but they improve edge retention and cutting feedback by removing stressed metal left behind by coarser grindings.\n<br><br>\nLastly, it was cited that leather can only hold diamond or CBN abrasives up to approximately 5-6 microns in partical size; larger particles can potentially be lost or shed while stropping and that leather works very well with aluminium oxide\/chromium oxide bars, diamond\/CBN pastes and considerably better with diamond and CBN emulsions\/suspensions.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9a6038a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9a6038a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>* Study Cited- Knife De-Burring book-<\/em><br \/><em>6th edtion, by Dr. Vadim Kraichu.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ea66708 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ea66708\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e41abb elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8e41abb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"716\" src=\"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250827_124733_instagram-high-1024x917.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-551\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250827_124733_instagram-high-1024x917.webp 1024w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250827_124733_instagram-high-500x448.webp 500w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250827_124733_instagram-high-300x269.webp 300w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250827_124733_instagram-high-768x688.webp 768w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250827_124733_instagram-high.webp 1079w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f9c2e8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2f9c2e8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-705abe4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"705abe4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c568e33 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c568e33\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250623_113053_instagram-high-1024x1024.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-550\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250623_113053_instagram-high-1024x1024.webp 1024w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250623_113053_instagram-high-500x500.webp 500w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250623_113053_instagram-high-100x100.webp 100w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250623_113053_instagram-high-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250623_113053_instagram-high-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250623_113053_instagram-high-768x769.webp 768w, https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot_20250623_113053_instagram-high.webp 1079w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a11eda9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a11eda9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b3f613c elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"b3f613c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInRight&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFinal Thoughts.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tEach Southern Strop Co. strop is made with carful intention, dialed in precision, and a deep respect for the sharpening process and its inherent nuances.\n<br><br>\nWhether you\u2019re just starting out on your sharpening journey or a well honed, seasoned professional - my goal is to give you the highest quality tools available to get the best possible results, first time, every time.\n<br><br>\nThank you for supporting my meticulously designed, high-performance, handcrafted tools, all proudly made right here in regional Victoria, Australia.\n<br><br>\nTrading since 2025.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-152e06f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"152e06f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong><em>\u2013 Steve Robilliard<\/em><\/strong><br \/><strong><em>Founder, Southern Strop Co.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Home About Southern Strop Co. Every strop reflects years of self-taught techniques, product testing, and careful design iteration refinement, perfecting my methods creating an evolution in edge maintenance. I work with unique, purpose-chosen materials, to create products that excell. These tools are the result of very deliberate design choices and while their visual appeal is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-385","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/385","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=385"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/385\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":867,"href":"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/385\/revisions\/867"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/demotestdesign.com\/southern-stephen-bill-28may\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=385"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}