got a strop. I feel like an idiot.

[FTR-14c]

If you ever want your mind blown, put a leather belt on a 1x30 belt sander. It is awesome!!! I use it as a final step when sharpening. I strop by hand between sharpening.

I'm a stropping failure so far, I've tried 3-4 of them, and different compounds and various angles, watched several videos etc. but for me it seems like I only make things worse. Perhaps it's because I prefer a toothy edge and my stropping is just putting too much of a polished edge on. I probably just need more practice.

Have you tried a hanging strop? I have tried wood/hard backing and always go back hanging. Maybe its just my technique but its what works for me and I'm happy with the results.

 

[yepimonfire]

Congrats on getting a strop PURPLEDC ! Someday I'd like to try Japanese waterstones,always something new to learn.

Definitely some of the best stones. They cut almost as fast as diamonds but don't leave the same aggressive edge.

 

[vaguy]

Here is one I purchased last year and one I made more recently. The smaller made from a 5 gallon paint stir stick is really working well for me, keeps both 1095 and S30V steel razor sharp quick and easy. When I first started I dulled more knives than I sharpened, now it is quite the opposite. I think stropping really helps with the hand control needed for free hand sharpening everyone talks about. I still cannot hand sharpen well but with stropping I am having great success.

-vaguy

 

[Allen R.]

I have the knives plus strop block and a stropman, knives plus Imo is a finishing strop, while stropman can bring an edge back. For me however the be all end all of strops is kangaroo leather with diamonds.

 

[D-der]

I received my knives plus strop Friday....
it does do a very nice finishing job.
I can see another , most likely double sided one in the future.

 

[cutchu]

I have never used a strop before, but have really been wanting to incorporate this into my sharpening process. I finally broke down and ordered one. It should be here in about a month. I cannot wait to start experimenting with it. Sounds like everybody has great results with them.