Best beginner sharpening stone as of 2020⬇️ amzn.to/2usHlq3 Leather strops and compound at www.knifepointgear.com All strops made by me🙂 These are affiliated sites By purchasing anything through these links i earn a small commission that goes towards supporting the channel thanks so much 🙏
Great video. I generally use double sided tape for instant stick. Making a small one out of half a paint stick is a great addition to a backpack knife maintenance kit
All these years I never even thought I could use the other side of my vintage compressed leather block strop with two different grit compounds instead of constantly mixing them. Doh ! See glad watched the whole thing. Thanks pal
@@sundararaonuthulapaty5897 you can get a blade pretty sharp with even course stones like the ones you have. however it's very hard though to get as fine an edge as showcased in the video without a strop. at the end of the day it all depends on the intended purpose of the blade you're sharpening. I find with kitchen knives you don't have to worry about an edge good enough to cut phonebook paper but the case is different for straight razors which need to be that super keen edge that can tree top hairs.
Just got into sharpening. Was wondering what I was doing wrong when my knives just wouldn't be as sharp as I'd expected or hoped. Made a strop off of a old belt and some mdf. Thanks to you I now have hair shaving, paper slicing knives. Cheers man
THANK YOU FOR THIS, i have recently taken up blacksmithy and am staarting to learn leathercraft too. so knife making is a natural union of that and this will help alot :).
Just stressing the range of successfully improvising a leather strop. For some time, to just to put the finishing touches on a blade, after getting a nicely polished result from an ultra fine ceramic bench stone, I'd stropped the blade to a well polished,, easily whittling a hair, satisfactory conclusion making use of a fine bare leather guitar strap as a very successful strop, even without any polishing compound. With very little time or effort it brought CPM S30V blades and others up to that next level.
was looking for something just like this when I saw you had a couple new videos up. think I just need some compound now and I'm good to go. great video and glad you're back!
What side of the leather do you use that the knife edge will touch? Say if it's a belt the smooth side that faces out towards everyone or the rougher side that faces your waist. -towards the end of the video you mentioned having a smooth side leather on one side of your block and the rough side leather on the other side of your block. If that's true will you use both smooth and rough and you have to pick only one... What's the all around go to?
Thanks for an amazing channel. In the short time, since I have begun to give my knives some tlc, I have learned so much from you, dispite a learning disability... Frederik ( Danish fan ) 😊
Thanks for this video. Been following you for about 6-8 months. About to start the "stock removal" side of knife making. Your videos and tips are helping. Keep the videos coming. Can't wait to start my own
Great video! I'm glad I found your channel. I'm really new to this and bought a 2-sided strop. I applied both pieces of leather smooth-side out but wasn't sure that was the right thing to do. I then tested a pocket knife and it became mush duller than when I started which told me I was applying way too much pressure. Can you please do a more detailed video of how to (assemble and) use a strop correctly?
Tip I read from a bladesmith online that makes a helluva lot of sense to me: when you sharpen your knife on an oilstone (in particular), wipe the residue after sharpening off on your strop. The super fine metal shavings will really help remove those burrs etc. In a short time, there'll be no need for compound. Good vid bud. Value.
Fenomenal, useful, on point like all your videos best instruction on you tube that can be found. If production of your video was better you would have many times more viewers.
I was wondering about this after ha Ing watched one of your other videos. I got scrap leather at home from other projects as well as scrap wood, so learning that all I need is the compound feels reassuring. Although for me the biggest issue isn't lack of strop but rather lacking technique xD
Well done. I learned how to make a strop from Doug Outdoors and was amazed at how well they work. I use the green compound as well - haven't use the oil though. Gonna try it this weekend.
Good video. One thing that I think helps beginners with is using a thinner leather or other material. I like using denim. It's easy to find, basically free, and really takes the compound well. Have you tried denim?
I went to the thrift store and got a leather belt with a raw back. Cut a small piece off, Sanded it a little for texture, coated it in whitening toothpaste, and started stropping. My knives are sharper now than they've ever been. They're almost razors, and it only cost me about $5. Sharpening on a budget: I use a diamond rod for sharpening, a ceramic rod to refine the edge, and now a leather belt with toothpaste for stropping. Diamond rod $6 Ceramic rod $0 (from broken heater) Leather belt $3 Toothpaste $1 Total cost: $10 + tax 🙂
Hey I just bought a stropping block and I was wondering if you could do a video on how to properly strap a knife I've been practicing but I haven't quite got it yet and I figured I'd ask you since you're the pro
HAH!!! I found another "Spyderco" and "Mora" fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Spyderco Endura has been my EDC for decades, and I've a dozen or so assorted Mora knifes, carbon steel and stainless steel. GREAT KNIVES - and the Mora especially so because of their low cost.
Make a full video on sharpening! Beginning to end for beginners with lots of detail. Start with apexing and creating a burr and moving through stones and also cover different angles, and then stropping! Some days I feel like I'm getting it and some days half my blade is sharp and half is dull.
Love it! The oil seems like it really helps. I forgot i made one after the other "how to make a strop" video. (I think the belt one you talked about in this video) ill have to go find it.
Hi. I use an old nail bag. ( tool belt). I cut strips out of the nail bag. I bought a cheap strip from Wish website and my home made version which I got the idea from you. Lol. The old furry leather from the nail bag works great. Glued with contact cement ( spray adhesive) version. The version from wish website is a little smoother. Is that maybe why your version work better??? Any reply appreciated cheers 🙂👍👍👍
excellent video and very well explained and demo'd. How does the strop compare to a ceramic rod though in order to maintain a super sharp edge and not necessarily take off any steel?
depends heavily on what abrasive compound you use- and that will also depend on what kind of steel you have and its purpose (e.g. a straight razor will have a different process vs a kitchen knife vs a utility knife)
Thanks for the video, I made my own strop but I got some cheap green compound from Harbor Freight. Didn't know that heating the compound up or using oil spreads it better on the leather. The compound stick I have just doesn't seem to spread well across the leather. Appreciate the info.
Are you in a shed , like a 8x10 , it sure looks cold inside there. I’d add on and put a wood burning stove in there. I enjoy your videos, you got a great sense of humor,keep it up
Is there room for a small wood stove , it would make working out there more comfortable, here in SW Florida the garage right now is a 105 temp but nice in the winter , 65-75 temp
Great video, i like easy it is to make and how you said any leather will do. I have some left over deer leather. Its kind of thin but i think should get the job done. I recently got the ken onion work sharp and its a fantastic sharpener but i want a nice strop to really get that final edge just right.
Nice reminder for honing! Diy is better! Could be used for other purposes also. One could use 1/2 inch float glass scrap from your friendly dealer who would cut it to size or find one piece near about your size. With your size or a little shorter it would be quite tough with both sides covered with leather about 1/8 inch overlap, to afford some protection if dropped but of course it's not a perfect solution. Some viewer could come up with a better solution. Oh! you should ask the dealer to grind the sides!
hi does it matter which side of the leather you put the glue on? Put it another way should you be stropping on the rough or smooth side of the leather? Thanks
Immediately after reloading the strop with the wax compound, can it be used immediately or should it be left to dry? And if it should be left to dry, for how long? Thank you.
Thanks. What's your opinion on using just the bare leather, or using non-typical compounds? I had an old can of mothers mag wheel polish I used...picked up the Smith tri stone and made the belt strop per your previous video. Had some luck last weekend used water on the stones. definitely sharper than factory. Not quite to your level yet. : (
Hey! Someone who's new to this field here, by "smooth side" and "rough side" what do you mean? Did you literally just glue one side to the skin side and one side to the fiber side?
@johnwilliams8654: I use whatever is onhand…the leather belt works just fine with a little jewellers’ rouge. Even the belt that i wear… it sure makes for compact packing when going outside in the woods, and easy to find in any situation.
Outdoors 55 can you sharpen a knife on a leather belt with out using compound .or if I do not have any compound could I use soap..just wondering ..were is the best place to buy compound at.
So I know this isn't one of your recent videos but.... Was wondering if you had a preference for certain compounds to use, present day... Brand, etc.. I've been looking at Diaspray, but haven't pulled the trigger on the purchase. Thanks
Nice job! I noticed that you alternated the leather side up on your strop, I guess one side is more porous than the other, holds more compound? Anyway...the take away for me was “..technique is more important than...” so true!!
Throughthebit2000 one side is the suede side and the other smooth, and yes the suede side takes the compound more readily. Both work well, just personal preference. God bless!
Yeah the rough side may be slightly more aggressive than the smooth side but not by much. You can alter technique to get the same results on both sides. Just personal preference
What about the grit for the green crayon thing? I think is called a strop stone. I found 5 grit, 2grit ,1grit. 0.5grit , 0.1grit? Which grit gives you a razor sharp edge?
Best beginner sharpening stone as of 2020⬇️
amzn.to/2usHlq3
Leather strops and compound at www.knifepointgear.com
All strops made by me🙂
These are affiliated sites
By purchasing anything through these links i earn a small commission that goes towards supporting the channel thanks so much 🙏
Hi mate
Thanks for the video
Do you stick leather down with smooth side up or the rougher like suede side?
Thanks
Great video. I generally use double sided tape for instant stick. Making a small one out of half a paint stick is a great addition to a backpack knife maintenance kit
All these years I never even thought I could use the other side of my vintage compressed leather block strop with two different grit compounds instead of constantly mixing them. Doh ! See glad watched the whole thing. Thanks pal
Just bought your strop and diamond paste. Thanks for answering my questions. Can’t wait to try it.
Thanks so much 🙏 Any questions don't hesitate to ask.
@@OUTDOORS55 hello i have a 220 grit and 1000 grit whetstone can i use it to get a razor sharp edge without a strop cus i have no leather available
@@sundararaonuthulapaty5897 you can get a blade pretty sharp with even course stones like the ones you have. however it's very hard though to get as fine an edge as showcased in the video without a strop. at the end of the day it all depends on the intended purpose of the blade you're sharpening. I find with kitchen knives you don't have to worry about an edge good enough to cut phonebook paper but the case is different for straight razors which need to be that super keen edge that can tree top hairs.
Just a quick thank you for this video. I made my first couple of strops following these very simple steps and now have ridiculously sharp knives!
Nice to know. I've not had much luck with a strop because never have used a compound. Thanks for the HELP and your time to share this
Just got into sharpening. Was wondering what I was doing wrong when my knives just wouldn't be as sharp as I'd expected or hoped. Made a strop off of a old belt and some mdf. Thanks to you I now have hair shaving, paper slicing knives. Cheers man
These are my favorite Christmas gifts to give on a nice walnut
Best advice on making strops.
As a very intro dude into this hobby for me...... I really appreciate your videos!
THANK YOU FOR THIS, i have recently taken up blacksmithy and am staarting to learn leathercraft too. so knife making is a natural union of that and this will help alot :).
Just stressing the range of successfully improvising a leather strop. For some time, to just to put the finishing touches on a blade, after getting a nicely polished result from an ultra fine ceramic bench stone, I'd stropped the blade to a well polished,, easily whittling a hair, satisfactory conclusion making use of a fine bare leather guitar strap as a very successful strop, even without any polishing compound. With very little time or effort it brought CPM S30V blades and others up to that next level.
Was thinking about making my own strop earlier today. And behold, the first video that popped up was yours.
Thanks so much for the video man, really helped me out on my favorite hatchet that I couldn't get back to its prime!
was looking for something just like this when I saw you had a couple new videos up. think I just need some compound now and I'm good to go. great video and glad you're back!
Great video man! I love that you keep people of all experience levels in mind, very down to earth stuff.
AWESOME DUDE YOU SURE COVER ALL THE ANGLES, TANX MAN
Great video! Right to the point, that's why I watch this channel! (I know this is 2 years old but still)
Your videos are excellent. Straight and to the point. Thanks for sharing. 👍🏻
I have made my own strop and it works great. Thank you for the information
Thanks for watching!
Great stuff, mate. Straight forward and easy to follow. I can see myself making my own after this video. Thanks
What side of the leather do you use that the knife edge will touch?
Say if it's a belt the smooth side that faces out towards everyone or the rougher side that faces your waist.
-towards the end of the video you mentioned having a smooth side leather on one side of your block and the rough side leather on the other side of your block. If that's true will you use both smooth and rough and you have to pick only one... What's the all around go to?
Rough (flesh) side will hold compound better.
I have been using a knife plus strop for a while but maybe i will try to make a small travel size one to throw in the pack. Thanks for the tip.
This was a great demonstration video. Thank you
Thanks for an amazing channel. In the short time, since I have begun to give my knives some tlc, I have learned so much from you, dispite a learning disability... Frederik ( Danish fan ) 😊
Oh yes.... Please tell a friend of mine that ( stropping) is not something dirty 😉
Great video - Thanks for dragging me up the learning curve!
Do a review of the lansky combo stone, I have it and I really like it
Thanks for this video. Been following you for about 6-8 months. About to start the "stock removal" side of knife making. Your videos and tips are helping. Keep the videos coming. Can't wait to start my own
Thanks for watching man! Good luck in you knife making. Let me know how it goes 👍 it’s addicting though😂
Great video! I'm glad I found your channel. I'm really new to this and bought a 2-sided strop. I applied both pieces of leather smooth-side out but wasn't sure that was the right thing to do. I then tested a pocket knife and it became mush duller than when I started which told me I was applying way too much pressure. Can you please do a more detailed video of how to (assemble and) use a strop correctly?
Tip I read from a bladesmith online that makes a helluva lot of sense to me: when you sharpen your knife on an oilstone (in particular), wipe the residue after sharpening off on your strop. The super fine metal shavings will really help remove those burrs etc. In a short time, there'll be no need for compound. Good vid bud. Value.
Provide the link to this online blade smith that told you this.
Fenomenal, useful, on point like all your videos best instruction on you tube that can be found.
If production of your video was better you would have many times more viewers.
That was an excellent, helpful well made video demonstration... Thank you.
Great video. Strops are required equipment for all knife nuts!🔪
Great video! As always very informative and easy to understand...
I was wondering about this after ha Ing watched one of your other videos. I got scrap leather at home from other projects as well as scrap wood, so learning that all I need is the compound feels reassuring.
Although for me the biggest issue isn't lack of strop but rather lacking technique xD
As always, your video is very informative.
Well done. I learned how to make a strop from Doug Outdoors and was amazed at how well they work. I use the green compound as well - haven't use the oil though. Gonna try it this weekend.
I went straight to amazon and bought it. You sold me sir. Glad I found your channel. New Sub.
Good video. One thing that I think helps beginners with is using a thinner leather or other material. I like using denim. It's easy to find, basically free, and really takes the compound well. Have you tried denim?
Rockstead knives actually recommend using denim, it works great
I went to the thrift store and got a leather belt with a raw back. Cut a small piece off, Sanded it a little for texture, coated it in whitening toothpaste, and started stropping. My knives are sharper now than they've ever been. They're almost razors, and it only cost me about $5.
Sharpening on a budget:
I use a diamond rod for sharpening, a ceramic rod to refine the edge, and now a leather belt with toothpaste for stropping.
Diamond rod $6
Ceramic rod $0 (from broken heater)
Leather belt $3
Toothpaste $1
Total cost: $10 + tax 🙂
Thanks Alex, this is my favorite channel God bless.
Thank you my friend! I appreciate you taking the time to watch! You as well!
Awesome I need me some of that compound thanks for the video
How was I not subbed ? I know I was subbed , lol for sure . It’s one of few places I learned to throw a polished razor edge on the knives. 👍👍
Hey I just bought a stropping block and I was wondering if you could do a video on how to properly strap a knife I've been practicing but I haven't quite got it yet and I figured I'd ask you since you're the pro
Nice vid ! I guess it is best to glue smoother/treated side down and more absorbent/rougher side up to take compound?
THE SAGE OF KNIVES. thank you
HAH!!! I found another "Spyderco" and "Mora" fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Spyderco Endura has been my EDC for decades, and I've a dozen or so assorted Mora knifes, carbon steel and stainless steel.
GREAT KNIVES - and the Mora especially so because of their low cost.
Make a full video on sharpening! Beginning to end for beginners with lots of detail. Start with apexing and creating a burr and moving through stones and also cover different angles, and then stropping! Some days I feel like I'm getting it and some days half my blade is sharp and half is dull.
Just stone the knife get some edge,then just use a steel,practice practice practice.
We should be making knives since we both like the garage so much . Mistakes will be made but it would be a fun go ..
Great video! I seriously NEED a strop. Maybe I’ll make one.
Yes you do! A post apocalyptic strop 👍😉
I made my first strop exactly the same way a while back. Learned it from Doug Outside :)
Finished mine today 😊
Eyy the smiths tri-hone is back baby I love that thing so much LOL
Thanks for the info. I'm going to get it done
Great video! I'll be definitely making one of these!
Love it! The oil seems like it really helps. I forgot i made one after the other "how to make a strop" video. (I think the belt one you talked about in this video) ill have to go find it.
Wow. Lots of time committed to a thin piece of metal.
I got some nice cut pieces of wood from a local building site, and some nice old leather. I just need the contact cement.
Hi. I use an old nail bag. ( tool belt). I cut strips out of the nail bag. I bought a cheap strip from Wish website and my home made version which I got the idea from you. Lol. The old furry leather from the nail bag works great. Glued with contact cement ( spray adhesive) version. The version from wish website is a little smoother. Is that maybe why your version work better??? Any reply appreciated cheers 🙂👍👍👍
They are just so much cheaper on AMZ than buying the individual items and I have all the tools and I like making stuff. :)
excellent video and very well explained and demo'd. How does the strop compare to a ceramic rod though in order to maintain a super sharp edge and not necessarily take off any steel?
depends heavily on what abrasive compound you use- and that will also depend on what kind of steel you have and its purpose (e.g. a straight razor will have a different process vs a kitchen knife vs a utility knife)
Would you make a curved edge for inside curves, or just hit them as best you can on a flat strop?
Thanks mate. Really helpful. Gonna attempt my own now 👍
Nice! I made mine also. Very easy to do.
Thanks for the video, I made my own strop but I got some cheap green compound from Harbor Freight. Didn't know that heating the compound up or using oil spreads it better on the leather. The compound stick I have just doesn't seem to spread well across the leather. Appreciate the info.
How’s it going outdoors55 ? Good summer ? Hope all is well brother
Are you in a shed , like a 8x10 , it sure looks cold inside there. I’d add on and put a wood burning stove in there. I enjoy your videos, you got a great sense of humor,keep it up
It was 7x14. Im in a much bigger space now🙂👍
Is there room for a small wood stove , it would make working out there more comfortable, here in SW Florida the garage right now is a 105 temp but nice in the winter , 65-75 temp
Again a Cool Video 👍
Thank U for the Info and the links 👍
Great video, i like easy it is to make and how you said any leather will do. I have some left over deer leather. Its kind of thin but i think should get the job done. I recently got the ken onion work sharp and its a fantastic sharpener but i want a nice strop to really get that final edge just right.
good tips thanks .i have tried ceramic rods they seem to take edge off the knife any theories thanks
In your other videos you encouraged and recommended using standard green chromium oxide compound.
Do you use the smooth finished side of the leather up??
Great idea with the oil, that was new to me. I suppose Ballistol would work fine here?
Scrounged! What a lovely word :D
Nice reminder for honing! Diy is better!
Could be used for other purposes also.
One could use 1/2 inch float glass scrap from your friendly dealer who would cut it to size or find one piece near about your size. With your size or a little shorter it would be quite tough with both sides covered with leather about 1/8 inch overlap, to afford some protection if dropped but of course it's not a perfect solution. Some viewer could come up with a better solution.
Oh! you should ask the dealer to grind the sides!
hi does it matter which side of the leather you put the glue on? Put it another way should you be stropping on the rough or smooth side of the leather? Thanks
Thanks Alex. This was great. 👍
I made one yesterday, nice to have some validation that it will work just get the technique down.
Do you need compound on a store bought strop? And when do you add more compound?
This is very helpful. Thanks!
Just a basic question.
Which side of leather to use as a strop?
tks.
Immediately after reloading the strop with the wax compound, can it be used immediately or should it be left to dry? And if it should be left to dry, for how long? Thank you.
Do you recommend rough side up or smooth side up for the leather strop? I noticed you had both styles.
Do we have an answer to this? I have the same question!
Both. Start with the suede(rough) side and finish with the smooth side. If you’re only going to do one, I would go with the rough side
Rough first
But, said in the vid
Compound plays a more important role.
So finish on the lower compound side.
Thanks for making this video
Thanks. What's your opinion on using just the bare leather, or using non-typical compounds? I had an old can of mothers mag wheel polish I used...picked up the Smith tri stone and made the belt strop per your previous video. Had some luck last weekend used water on the stones. definitely sharper than factory. Not quite to your level yet. : (
Hey! Someone who's new to this field here, by "smooth side" and "rough side" what do you mean? Did you literally just glue one side to the skin side and one side to the fiber side?
Hi i hope you reply or somebody reply to this question is it ok to use a strap with out compound or do i realy need compound?
Just the video I was thinking about.
Great video! I was thinking about using an old leather belt to make a strop, but it seems like leather isn't that expensive.
@johnwilliams8654: I use whatever is onhand…the leather belt works just fine with a little jewellers’ rouge. Even the belt that i wear… it sure makes for compact packing when going outside in the woods, and easy to find in any situation.
Outdoors 55 can you sharpen a knife on a leather belt with out using compound .or if I do not have any compound could I use soap..just wondering ..were is the best place to buy compound at.
Is the compound necessary I get that the end finish will be better for it but do you need it
So I know this isn't one of your recent videos but.... Was wondering if you had a preference for certain compounds to use, present day... Brand, etc.. I've been looking at Diaspray, but haven't pulled the trigger on the purchase. Thanks
Which side of the leather do I use and can you use Flitz as a compound?
I used this leather and vegetable tan leather works the best
Nice job! I noticed that you alternated the leather side up on your strop, I guess one side is more porous than the other, holds more compound? Anyway...the take away for me was “..technique is more important than...” so true!!
Throughthebit2000 one side is the suede side and the other smooth, and yes the suede side takes the compound more readily. Both work well, just personal preference. God bless!
Will K, thanks for the feedback!
Yeah the rough side may be slightly more aggressive than the smooth side but not by much. You can alter technique to get the same results on both sides. Just personal preference
Did u make the strop with one fluffy side of the leather and one smooth side of the leather and if so why what's the difference?
How will old welding glove leather work? I want to make it but would like to spend preferably nothing and I have old welding glove
Thanks. I like your videos. 👍👍👍
Thanks! And thanks for watching 👍
Hey Alex, what was that Spyderco from 1min 20sec to 1min 28sec? Looks like a nice folder.
What about the grit for the green crayon thing? I think is called a strop stone.
I found 5 grit, 2grit ,1grit. 0.5grit , 0.1grit?
Which grit gives you a razor sharp edge?