As a final bit of advice that no one ever told you. Lower the pressure. Low pressure is not quite as fast, but you still don't need to take a lot of swipes to get the blade sharp. Try gentle strokes and when you test, be careful the knife may have a better edge than you are used to. The physics behind this is simple. The edge is very fine and the leather gives. if you push down, you push it into the leather and start to round the edge. Even with a stone, as you get sharper, get more gentle. The more gentle, the sharper the edge is possible. This is true with stones as well. Gentle is the way to get the final edge consistently sharp. If you learn to back off on the pressure you will find yourself able to sharpen reliably.

I can't believe somebody finally showed how to use your belt I've done this for years and I've never seen anyone show that. thanks for showing people that need this. there is a lot of people getting into Woodcraft now and not being shown this proper way. again I thank you for showing people this. you're so good Dan. keep ye powder dry

I always thought I was bad at sharpening until I tried stropping. Then I figured out, if you strop regularly, even obsessively, you don't have to hit the stones as often, and when you do you're just hitting the fine stone for a minute before stropping. I use the strop for all knives and woodworking tools we use to great effect.

I'm sure that I speak for a lot of fellow subscribers when I add that I enjoy watching you pass on skills that have long been a part of my life. I grew up in the Shawangunk Mountains at Lake Minnewaska and was fortunate enough to learn from older men who simply enjoyed sharing their knowledge. There is so much to learn and so little time... Thanks, Dan.

Thanks for the review video for new or slow learners. I know that when I started stropping, I made that same mistake, by tilting the blade too much. Keep up the good, common sense content, it's much appreciated.

Being new to sharpening knives, this was extremely helpful

It's about time! I have been trying to teach people to use there belt for years! Thank you

You can use a strop to sharpen your knife. You will need several strops with different grits of compound on them. As long as there are no nicks on the blade, you can make a knife from dull to scary sharp in a matter of minutes using only a few strops. I have been doing this for so many years I don't know where my stones are anymore. And you are removing less material off your blade. One other thing is you should not do one side many times and then flip. It should be one side, flip, other side, flip. This way you are getting the same number of strokes on both sides and your blade will strop evenly.

Thank you!! Excellent video!!! Best explanation on how to!! Just got my strop kit a week ago!! Awesome!

Some sharpie marker on the bevel helps you see if you're keeping your angle consistent. This works with grinding, honing and stropping. Wherever the sharpie is removed is where you're removing metal and not removed is where you're not removing metal.

Thank you for clarifying years of frustration for me. Really glad I found your video. Great information - thank you so much.

Every time I watch, I learn, Thank You 👍

Thanks, You are one of my favorite BC channels, no BS just good information. Love the way you explain things. Tommy

I appreciate her practical advice. So many outdoor channels get a little silly with the complications.

Nice and informative about a pretty important thing. Using sharp knives. A lot of my young friends have these beautiful bits of steel with extremely blunt edges! Watched and learnt from my grandfather (and my early childhood barbers as I watched them at work before my turn)about use of a strop when he would do his cut throat razor, almost 60 yrs ago. Like your stuff.

Great video Dan

Thank you, Dan! I appreciate it!

I've always used my belt. My dad used the top edge of his truck window but I never got the hang of it. Great video.

Good video, and love the knife. Just inherited my grandfathers Frost from Mora (

Thanks Dan, got it done on my pocket Böker while watching the video. It's now as good as can be

Thanks for attracting more and more people with bush craft with interesting techniques.

I am new to stropping. THANK YOU for this video!

Thank you for the tip on using your belt as a strop. It was really creative.

Thanks Dan

Great post Dan. 🏃‍♂️ ✨️

My favorite pocket stone is the Falkniven DC4. Its a 4” 2 sided Diamond/Fine Ceramic stone but it comes in a nice leather slip cover that has a slightly rough back which loads up perfectly with polishing compound so you can use it as a 5” strop while the stone is inside it.

Another great video presented just right. Thank you so much for your time and knowledge.

Thanks Dan this video answered some questions for me on stropping

This was good. I still haven't complete sharpened a knife yet, but this helps and I think I know what I'm doing wrong now. This video helped.

Dan that was great ! I was tilting my blades up and wondering why my razor sharp knife was worse lol Thank You!

First time I saw the belt stropping was by Ray Mears, and people have looked at me funny ever since I mentioned it. Glad somebody else has mentioned it!

Respect Dan. I've been following your channel for a while. All of your videos are to the point and real world practical. Many thanks for your videos. PA autumn is coming. Enjoy!!

Consistent angle and a light hand. Thank you!!!

Thank you Mr Dan for another Great informative video . You are the best!!! Thank you Sir !!!!👍

I really appreciate your videos and knowledge. I would like to add to the stropping instructions. The single biggest nugget of knowledge for finding the angle to strop is to lay the blade flat and gradually lift the blade into the strop until it superficially cuts/stops on the leather. Add 2 degrees and go for it. I also do not add as much compound to the strop. I keep it knappy and it looks like a 3rd grader added the compound! LOL

Well done. Straight forward and to the point (no pun intended). I got a couple of nuggets out of this video. I use a strop with and without compound, but I am not sure that I have been using it to its full potential. This video was very informative and I want to thank you for putting it out there. Cheers, Gary

Thanks Dan for showing us how to strop a knife the correct way! Like you always say tools for the toolbox !! Great informative video as always Dan!! Take care and stay safe my friend !!!

yeah I just ordered one online from you I have a sharpening stone that I'm definitely going to enjoy using this new item I've been sharpening my knife off my grandfather's leather belt for the last 40 years but this is a nice new extra thing to know

Very, very informative!! When I first started learning to sharpen freehand I developed a bad habit of pronating my wrist in a similar way you showed. Excellent job, new sub 👍🇺🇸🔪👍

My butcher knives are between 50 and 100 years old and sharp but for skinning I use a polish rod like a steel to keep a razor edge that is needed for skinning. I am an old butcher that worked from slaughter to retail counter. My Dad's razor strop was used for his razor and tune ups for me.

Great video bud keep em coming. Stay safe and be well brother. Strength and Honor... 👊 🤙 🍻

Informative as ever. Thank you Dan. Time to get outside!

Love the old skills thanks

Excellent tutorial!

I e been stepping on my belt for years and stropping but recently got one and there’s an art to it , the compound is everything imo as it speeds up the process. When i see

Sweet!!!! Thank you !!!!

I've always stropped and just started using diamond emulsions it's amazing thanks for this info

I WAS one of those guys that would end up with the knife becoming duller after stropping the blade. Thanks to your video, I now know what I was doing wrong. I had given up on stropping my blades. Well that ended today.

thank you for the knowledge sir!

Really good and concise presentation. Thanks!!

thank you kind sir. so much good you do teach. glad i found you.

Thanks for sharing!

Thank you , this helped me tremendously !

Great instructional video, really appreciate it. Thanks.

Coalcracker Bushcraft: For a strop on the go, the belt is an excellent idea, and it’s an easy matter to put a little piece of jewellers rouge in your pack. It takes up pretty much no space, weighs pretty much nothing, it’s always easy to find, and is an easy way to make sure that the knife stays razor-sharp, just taking a few minutes here and there to touch it up instead of waiting until it needs honing or sharpening. Of course honing and sharpening are not a big deal, but it’s far better to keep blades ready to use. thanks for taking a few minutes to share this tutorial. It’s surprising how many people really think it necessary to pack a piece of board into the woods in order to strop your blade.

Dan's video about moving the sharpening stone on the knife (not the knife on the stone) and how to find the correct angle brought me to the channel.

Well done young man! 😊

One piece of advice, straight leather will work without compound for older steel but new supersteels that are high in the HRC wil need compound. Aluminum oxide will work (usually green compound) but Diamond compounds will make it much quicker and give better results on supersteels. Thanks for the great vid and keep making sharp things fun and enjoyable

Hello 👋 my outdoors friend, thank you for sharing this informative video. All the best to you and your family. Stay safe out there. 🤗

Another well done video!!!

Thank you very much for making this video. I just started learning how to sharpen my knives and I keep screwing up the edge everytime I strop. After watching this video I know exactly what I am doing wrong. BTW, I just subscribed! God bless!

Great video, love your shop !!!......The belt part was a learning experience for sure...Amazing..

Classy, thanks for the tips.

I used to shave with a straight razor. I would strop it before every use. It was a wonderful shaving experience.

Well said. Oh & if folks really need some kind of compound on their belt but dont have any in the field they can use a sandy mud as a stand in.

Thank You!

I have used a section of one of my old solid leather belts, and a bit of toothpaste for my compound for years, and seems to work just fine ! I have been a woodcarver for over 30 years, and trust me, I depend on extremely sharp tools, and knives ! 😎

Thanks, Dan , novice carver I am. Retired las year. You taught me the right way

Fine detailed explanation, thanks

Thanks man ! Appreciate it 👍

Thank you. Very on spot and helpful. 💪🌲

Thanks for the video. It helped me a lot

Nice thank you for the tool!

Thank you very much for an informative video without a pile of fluff to waste our time!

Well thanks Dan I just recently tried using an old belt for this and was wondering what I was doing wrong. Not enough tension on my belt. When I get home I'll be making a block. As always good information.

Thank you

Well said. Great video

Great Video. Thanks

Love that I recognized a Mora right out of the gate. Got one from my grandfather.

This was very informative and helpful. Thank you. 🙂

I appreciate the lesson! I've heard of the process but dang, I was hoping to see you shave some arm hair or filet some paper to show us how sharp you got it. Thanks for keeping us prepared! People like you make a difference!

I do find I like the belt more than the strop though. It's just the feel - you can feel and HEAR the sharpness. Great video - this might help more people get a good edge than a lot of videos without stropping will do I bet.

Good advice!

I thought I was the only one that used their belt To strop a blade, oviously I am not! I have a eight inch horizonal ,water cooled sharpening machine that get a blade sharp . It is a necessity in a wood workers/machine shop. I am retired but still have my shop with a full compliment of tools. If I get rid of my tools the sharpening machine stays! I enjoyed your video! You were spot on with your information.

Great work Sir thank you

I always use my belt for stropping. I use vegetable oil or wd40 or even water for a quick strop compound. Great video though and keep up the great work.

My trade is sharpening... I see you know what you are doing good points

If you can afford it get the Tormek T8. Easy to get knives, axes, lawnmower blades, even chainsaw blades razor sharp and it’s fast! Finally broke down and bought one and LOVE it.

Very helpful. Thank you !

AWSOME VIDEO , THANK YOU

Great tips, thanks

Your entire video just described methods of sharpening and stropping that I have used for years especially overseas where sharpening stones and other conveniences were nonexistent. I’ve used sand paper, belts, small strips of leather, I’ve even sharpened a butter knife sharp enough to shave with with nothing more than sandpaper and my belt. It amazes me how many grown men can’t sharpen a knife by hand.

Very helpful. Thank you.

Good advice. Thanks

Outstanding video bro.

Good info.

Awesome man. You’re super talented with all of the camera angles etc. Very entertaining 👍

Sweet knife

Great video thanks!

Love the intro man 👌