The stropping myth and how to sharpen tools with leather

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[gregblake]

I've spent 50 years in woodworking. Learned using only hand tools. For 20 years I sharpened on natural or man-made oil stones. Then I was introduced to waterstones and stuck with them for 15 years. Got tired of the mess and bought 4 grits of diamond stones. About three years ago I stumbled on the Trend 300/1000 diamond stone and now it's all I use along with a leather strop glued to a piece of birch plywood that I charge with Flexcuts gold compound. Until I can across this video I t thought I was the only one using this simple system. Thanks for the video, it affirms what I discovered on my own three years ago.

[billwessels]

Appreciate the grit size of compounds which is almost never discussed on most sharpening videos. An excellent tutorial. Thank you, Sir.

[robertlangley]

This is absolutely one of the best if not the best wood working channels on YouTube.

[eosdelb]

Pleasantly surprised with your knowledge. I clicked on this video with skepticism. I have met very few people that understand what stropping is actually about or can comprehend after being told. You lay it out very well and nicely detailed.

[shannoncooley]

I love the intelligence and in-depth presentations - Not just this one on stropping, but virtually all of the videos - generally done very professionally and with an air of humor.

[thlchmst]

Another great reference video for my playlist. The micron/grit correspondence it's a delicious information. Let me do a recap just for convenience:

25 to 35 microns ---> 800 grit stone
8 to 15 microns ---> 2000 grit stone
4 to 8 microns ---> 4000 grit stone
2 to 4 microns ---> 8000 grit stone
1 micron or less ---> 10000 grit stone or more

Thanks for sharing! <3

[JLuisCastaneda]

I am a chef, and I went from sharpening and honing my Japanese knives on water stones to a 320/1000 diamond plate and a leather strop some time ago. It works well but I've felt like I was flying a little blind. I found the information in this video to be extremely useful. Thanks!

[freddiedoyle]

I find your videos to be a fine mix of no nonsense, clear, concise complete information ZERO!! ego and just the right amount of comedy to keeps things lite . They keep moving but never leave out any information.
I do have one suggestion however.. And that would be that YOU have yourself a cold one my friend ! I think it quite obvious you have earned it !!! Thank you for the quality content you provide !!

[jurgenstoll]

What a great and informative video.


One trick: You're showing your grandfathers razor stropping with a swift stroke on the leather. At the end of the stroke you're giving the razor a turn on the edge. Doing this will blunt your edge, because you're rounding it. The much better (not to say: correct) way is to make a stroke with even (and light) force. Then stop at the end position without a quick and fancy change of direction. Now roll the razor over the back of the blade! And on you go.
This isn't a zack-zack-zack highspeed strop like you see in the barber shops in the old western movies. Stropping is a highly accurate finishing move for the precious edge of your razor. Don't ruin your hole sharpening effort by a sloppy stropping!


Best greetings from Hamburg, Germany!

[rpandocchi]

This is the best explanation of what a leather strop actually is, and what it is capable of doing for your sharpening results! I’ve seen dozens of other YouTube videos trying explaining the basics on how to sharpen. I seemed to never get the same sharp edge results that these other channels claimed by using the same sharpening techniques. Until I accidentally found this video on YouTube, and seen how using a leather strop could possibly change my sharpening results drastically!! I realized that this was the step I was missing in sharpening my own woodworking tools to obtain that so called “scary sharp edge”! My very first day of receiving my leather strop and green compound I was able to shave the hair on my arm with ease!! My only regret is that I wish I would’ve found this video sooner instead of waisting all that time and money trying all these different wet stones, diamond stones, and even a sharpening jigs. I am just very grateful for Stumpy Nubs and finding this YouTube video!! And no he didn’t pay me to say that I am just a huge fan and a very thankful DIY Woodworker. So thanks again Stumpy Numbs for taking the time to share your expertise, and for making this excellent video!!

[nigelwylie]

James, For year’s I’ve been a huge stropping advocate among my woodworking, bookbinding & leather-working friends, but I’ve always been defeated by the discussion about ‘surely leather rounds the edge’. I knew from old-timers’ & my own experience it worked best, but couldn’t explain it. You have finally put it into words perfectly. THANK YOU.

[rollovaughan]

My dad taught me to strop on paper. The shiny magazine covers are best. He said they used Clay in the paper to help it go shiny and keep the ink crisp when printing fancy pictures.
I also inherited a belt from him. It is much too big for me and rather than cut It i use the loose bit to strop when if finished using a diamond there is no shiny magazine handy.

Never thought I’d share this info with anyone, let alone the interweb.

[artswri]

When James / Stumpy covers a topic, it really gets covered. This one video has more info per vid frame than any other ones I have seen! Thanks again for another 'keeper' video that's one to go back to every time a question on honing pops into mind! And I really enjoy James's touches like how stropping a razor works and was done, love when he refreshes my memories of the -'old days'. And his never bat an eye spots of humor.

[davidrusso]

I took your advice in regards the Trend diamond stone. EGAD!! That thing is wonderful. Cuts quickly, finely and does an excellent job. I bought my strop from the same outfit and use the enclosed green and white paste - but only on the rough side of the strop. You provide the best, most incisive and most worthwhile advice on the internet. THANK YOU.

[douglaswallace]

I watch a ton of woodworking videos and very rarely to I come across one where I either I know at little about what is being discussed and while I knew leather was good for honing I didn’t know the details I really appreciate this video and it has helped a ton thanks

[JohnMeadowsSoulPatchPiper]

I have found good leather scraps from a national hobby store - usually comes in a bag for about $10 and there is plenty enough to make a stripping block. I’ve glued a piece on each side of a planed hardwood block, one side smooth & the other rough. Works perfectly for stropping chisels, carving knives and pocket knives.
Thanks for sharing!

[BLASTIC]

I’m not a woodworker, but for some reason, I enjoy your videos.

[hannostadler]

You can't get enough credit for how well you present the topic info. Beginner from South Africa here- and this video was SOLID info mate. Well done.

[boofpack]

this is a well made video by today's standards, and its 5 years old ! very informative, succinct, and applicable. thank you.

[thesundaycarpenter]

I've been watching your `Stumpy Nubs` videos for about 2 years now. I live in Japan and have no workshop other than my garden. Recently I made my own Saw Bench like the one you made about 5 years ago. I love the bench that I made it is so useful. Thanks for the quality content and inspiration.
PS: Go Wings!