How To Sharpen A Knife, Vol 2: Use a Leather Strop

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4 жыл бұрын

Now that you’ve learned to sharpen with a stone, it’s time to hone and maintain your edge with a strop. Check out our recommendations here: kcoti.com/2VBJDfN
A good strop can be incorporated into any sharpening system for final edge finishing or they can even be used as a standalone sharpening tool if you add some sandpaper to your kit. Find out how as David C. Andersen goes through a few different types of strops and shows you how to use them for maximum effectiveness.
Shop all strops here: kcoti.com/2XIUbwo
Featured Strops
Benchmade Work Sharp EDC Edge Maintenance Tool: kcoti.com/2ROWeeK
Flexx Strops: kcoti.com/2VE9cNk
JRE Industries Strop Bat: kcoti.com/2KcsgNp
Marble’s Strop Compound: kcoti.com/3eocMnk
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Fallkniven S1: kcoti.com/2VgkRmr
Opinel N08: kcoti.com/2xtVKUs
Kershaw Bareknuckle: kcoti.com/2VfEHOT
L.T. Wright Gen 5: kcoti.com/2ys2fa4
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Пікірлер: 335

@Plus_P_Plus 3 жыл бұрын

This guy is so down to earth and relaxing to watch. He presents the information masterfully. He’s kinda like the Bob Ross of knife videos. Love this dude!

@SMH_WOW 3 жыл бұрын

Kind of reminds me of an info video in school.

@kvierharen8375 2 жыл бұрын

:-) He is at his best sitting in a chair talking about knives....NOT going into the bush, walking, running, hunting, slicing, chopping, using a knife in the real live.... Then huffing and puffing.... I am not impressed.

@ok17tahunyanglalu40 2 жыл бұрын

@@kvierharen8375 stfu

@benedictfelix9480 2 жыл бұрын

Instablaster...

@raul69er1 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah honestly spot on

@jamalmodica3286 3 жыл бұрын

you can tell this guy really knows about sharpening knives, im just getting into it myself and I really appreciate it, thank you.

@Foxtechcodydunn Жыл бұрын

I have been getting into sharpening knives lately as well. I’m new to stropping and wow can’t believe how effective it is! It’s truly an art and I thoroughly enjoy it. Almost every day I’m sharpening some of the knives I’ve been collecting. Thank you sir for the education!

@AnthonyDansie Жыл бұрын

@@Foxtechcodydunn 2:19 2:19 3:32

@Leftyotism 5 ай бұрын

My dear fellow knife guy! You might want to check out Neeves Knives here on KZfaq! He got great sharpening videos and explains a lot as well! I think you might like! 🥺👉👈

@AlphaSections Жыл бұрын

I was looking for a 2 minute video.....ended up watching the whole thing with no regrets! Well done!

@willhernandez7687 3 жыл бұрын

This video just blew my mind on how to find the right angle for stropping. I literally got a better edge on one of my nicer blades the first time. This was great!

@knifecenter 3 жыл бұрын

Glad it helped! -DCA

@RKLS90 Жыл бұрын

@@knifecenter just got my first strop & tried watching this video as I set it up to make sure I did things exactly the same. Unfortunately the strop I ordered has two smooth sides. I was gonna do one side with green compound & the other with no compound. Thing is the green compound does not wanna evenly disperse on the smooth leather. Even when I try scraping the knife against it all it ends up doing is peeling the compound off in little pieces. I even tried holding the lighter near the strop hoping to melt the compound onto it & get a nice even coating. Didn’t work the way I hoped. The majority of that side has compound on it but when I drag the knife across u can feel it’s a little bumpy cuz the compound is thicker in some areas. Is this ok to continue using it as is? Some help would be greatly appreciated

@raimundomartinsdeloiolafil7879 11 ай бұрын

@@RKLS90 Espalhe o compositor adicionando óleo mineral no strop.

@markbonham2648 4 жыл бұрын

Finally, a thorough explanation and demonstration on this subject, thank you. I have no further questions.

@stevebarber7562 3 жыл бұрын

Great instructional video! Stropping is the "secret" to really sharp knives. Well done, sir!

@forestweston5055 3 жыл бұрын

Very nicely done! Amazing how few people actually use a strop well but it is the key to that final degree of “cut”.

@mastodonxrp5314 3 жыл бұрын

This stropping video was incredibly relaxing to watch and I learned a few things. Thank you.

@larryburwell97 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for such a great presentation! Very clear explanations of the "why" and "how" to sharpen and maintain knives and other blades. I liked the way you covered questions in a straight forward way without making us feel like you were "talking down" to us. Good job!

@7R4dicalized Жыл бұрын

Best, most concise knife sharpening video I’ve found. Conveying so much information without overwhelming the audience is a rare gift indeed!

@tobystevens9183 3 жыл бұрын

I bought a nice strop from a close-to-my-home Rockler store. It did include stropping compound. Until I watched a few videos, I had no clue how to load, clean and maintain a strop. This is KEY. Thanks for the video.

@knifeaddict1014 3 жыл бұрын

Just a bunch of amazing detailed info right here, thanks so much DCA for everything!

@hyojoonus 4 жыл бұрын

Great content and invaluable tips. Sharpening can be really confusing with deluge of questionable stone or honing steel methods online, but I also find the strop finishing and maintenance to be that missing link to daily sharpness without excessive grinding. I tried stropping with an old belt placed flat on a countertop and that made such significant difference in daily maintenance that I invested more on compounds and proper strops.

@Nalladolla32 Жыл бұрын

I just got the lansky angle kit from your site and man, I never thought I would be able to shave with my old beat up Walmart pocket knife! Something about fixing something and bringing it back to life instead of just throwing it out makes me happy. Thanks

@raymondwilliams2609 3 жыл бұрын

Fantastic video, David! Everything you need to know and nothing you don't! Bless you Sir, and many, many thanks! 😊🤗❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😆🇬🇧🇺🇲👍✌️🤘👋

@tchance65 Жыл бұрын

I’ve always used leather to finish off my blades but did not realize there were compounds to cut with. I just bought my first very expensive knife(protect sbr )so that’s what brought me here to learn to sharpen it properly. All my knives shave but I want a mirror finish on this one. You’ve enlightened me on a different level! Thanks for the great video.

@MrKinghuman 2 жыл бұрын

That Kershaw knife has been my work knife for six months, it's absolutely destroyed now, but the size and weight of it is perfect. Love it.

@krystlebowlen 3 жыл бұрын

This is best video I’ve seen on stropping. Thank you!

@Arman-jx7hu 3 жыл бұрын

David C Anderson is just plain awesome and that is all there is to it!! Blade master mind!

@mfreeman313 2 жыл бұрын

This is good information on stropping with some real intermediate-level insight into your angle and pressure. I've got a new beater camping knife sitting in front of me that I reprofiled and gave a decent edge which I then promptly ruined by stropping too agressively. It looks all shiny and pretty but it's convexed and blunt. So here I am to watch and learn.

@Barsomn Жыл бұрын

Videos like this make me happy to be a KnifeCenter customer. Nothing but good info and relaxing vibes! Thank you David.

@johntaylor9320 4 жыл бұрын

I made my own strop small enough to fit in my front pocket. That with polishing compound is mostly all I use to keep a razor edge on my knives. With most normal use on a good knife steel a strop is all you need. A strop has very minimal effect on the bevel. The best way to keep a true scandi knife razor sharp with minimal effect on the bevel.

@khakicampbell6640 4 жыл бұрын

Dude, you are the man! What an excellent video on stropping, thorough and concise. Nice job on that strop you made. Also, 'The Bunker' lol, good choice. 👍 Cheers

@georgecates9538 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you I love my new sharpener for about 50 dollars and I’m so sharp and polished I’m amazed!!! Great job!

@brianroach1993 9 ай бұрын

Thanks ! So clean and concise. I’ve built some film on glass for longer blades but this strop lesson is really a Master course.

@audiocalls2822 3 жыл бұрын

my recommendation. The better way to determine angle is start at a steeper angle, and slowly push forward with light force while lowering the angle. The moment the knife slips is the correct angle to use.

@EvaderGuy Жыл бұрын

I think this is the best video I have seen on and sharpening knives. Great tips, thank you very much.

@alanpeterson4205 Жыл бұрын

One of the ways I use the carborundum paper method is to mount the paper with a spray adhesive (3M 77) to a wooden paint stir stick that they give you when you buy paint. It even has a handle shape at one end. You can buy them for a few cents, but be sure to check them for flatness, sometimes wood will "cup". You can put different grits on either side and when it's worn out just throw it away and make a new one.

@nigelross7896 Жыл бұрын

Really great video and very detailed. This has helped me enormously in getting my knife edges razor sharp.

@bryandiel6773 3 жыл бұрын

In a pinch I have used stiff cardboard rough one side smooth on the other...it worked!!

@marshallcollins8634 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the great video,You are one of the very very few that say anything about rolling the edge over. This tells me you actually know what you are doing and not jus copying other youtubers to make money. I was thought this method and it just makes sense. I think without rolling the edge you are just guessing wether you have it right. That's the problem today people listen to some professor or so called pro and just follow there trenching without question. Everything you do should make sense to YOU that way you will know WHY you are doing it and how to solve problems that arise. Because I Said So only works until 3/4 years old. Then you should start learning why/why not .

@kontradiction333ify 4 ай бұрын

I love this thank you man. I just ordered a strop and didn't know the first thing. You really helped me out with this video. My straight razor is sharp. I had a strap but every time I used it for some reason I dulled my razor and now I feel like a noob

@gstrader73 4 жыл бұрын

For people with angle problems, you can cut small wood wedges at the angles your knives are sharpened at.

@bkdesignr Жыл бұрын

this guy is great. always good information conveyed in a way that everyone can digest, from novice to pro.

@shiites Ай бұрын

Pretty new to sharpening/honing knives myself. This video is a wonderful resource! Thanks!!!!

@steece7310 3 жыл бұрын

this guys lit. ive been around blades a lot and wanted to move to soley sharpening with a strop amd i feel like i can do it easily now :)

@davidjeffers6339 2 жыл бұрын

Holy cannoli. I have a sharpening system that holds the knife while you drag stones of various “grit” across it. And that system gets my Benchmade Griptilian to shaving sharp. I’ve recently invested in a paddle strop and you just showed me how to use it. Before, I would chuckle when people say “scary sharp” well… yeah… not funny any more. Good lord. I’ll be considering this knife “dull” when it’s “only” razor sharp again… lol

@TheDrivebynerf Жыл бұрын

FINALLY..after a crapload of videos one included entire thing easy to. Understand even i understood it lol. I know you guys are trying to sell stuff but vids like that make me wanna buy here. Thanks!

@THEAngryProjects 3 жыл бұрын

Very big thanks for this video man best video I have ever seen for sharpening knives keep the great work

@paulperlmutter5371 3 жыл бұрын

Great video! You explained things very clearly, I learned a lot. Thank you!!

@larryjistel3018 4 жыл бұрын

Best video I've ever watched... Super informative...

@HybridphotoPro Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for taking the mystery out of these crazy tools! Excellent job with the video. I really appreciate your information.

@TheNutzandBoltz 6 ай бұрын

I always dulled my knives on strop. I was pushing too hard. I have seen the light and now shaving my arms. Thank you Sir.

@2fs2ns 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for putting this together, super helpful!

@troybranaman316 3 жыл бұрын

Loved the video! Thank you for posting!! Take care and stay safe my friend!!

@kalinagoedge2777 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent instructions for stropping. Thank you!

@dalet7300 Жыл бұрын

Just a heads up You can use a dry wall hand sander to hold the wet sand paper. It's perfect size for the sand paper..

@PinoyBladeHunter 4 жыл бұрын

Perfect video for being stuck at home with a bunch of knives.

@jamesross8274 Ай бұрын

A lot of good advice. And a lot of common sense 👊 thank you for posting.

@CrimeVid 3 жыл бұрын

That’s interesting, the Opinel of which I have several, never seems to me to actually need stropping ! I only use them for food prep,and sausage cutting, and I can get them shaving sharp on a basic oilstone, I strop on the palm of my hand just to make sure all the burr is gone.

@MichiganMatt 3 жыл бұрын

thank God for David C Anderson! thanks for the edu!

@michaeljenkins6476 3 күн бұрын

Best video yet, well done, thanks.

@jeremybryant5778 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks DCA, great info

@cliffhouser9138 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent video. Please do one on stropping a straight razor. Thanks David!

@j.w.9407 4 жыл бұрын

DCA, thank you for churning out good content! Appreciate it.

@CALISUPERSPORT Жыл бұрын

I got a Kershaw folder that got thrashed and I was about to toss it, but now I definitely want to try sandpaper and stropping it, thanks!

@wea69420 3 жыл бұрын

A couple additions: When figuring out the angle, you can use the shadow that the edge of the knife casts on the strop. Tilt your knife until the shadow disappears (and no further) and you should be perfectly in line with the apex. Also, regarding compounds, the colour has very little to do with the grit. The colour indicates the type of abrasive used, black being aluminium oxide, green is chromium oxide, white is titanium dioxide and red is iron oxide. The particle size is what matters when talking about grit, and for most of these the standard is around 2μm (about 5000 grit, iirc). The difference in aggressiveness lies on the properties of the material itself.

@thethornbrues6205 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this. Now I’m off to watch more of his videos.

@jorgefernandez6407 2 жыл бұрын

Your hand made strop is the one I like best! You should market it. I find it's ability to change grits, is excellent!

@damianbaptiste3833 3 жыл бұрын

Incredible video David!!! You Rock!!!

@jonathanagnew 2 жыл бұрын

Great content as always from this man

@samuelpope7798 Жыл бұрын

Love the host and the channel! Always good stuff! I like to wear a flat genuine leather belt. Secure it at one end and pull it tight and you can strop. .When they wear out as a belt cut it up and use contact cement to glue pieces to wood and you'll have a really nice flat strop. You can buy a little black and green polishing compound to dope it with. (Plane leather works but will take longer and may be best for finishing).

@chiefkirk Жыл бұрын

Thanks Dave for some great info. I seem to be dulling my sharp knife with a strop. I'll follow your advice and see if that helps.

@crimzon76 Жыл бұрын

Just came across this video and I've order that JRE strop. I'm horrible with sharpening but hope this will help me get better.

@alanpeterson4205 Жыл бұрын

One other tip for loading the compound or rouge into leather is to use a petroleum based oil with the stick and it will dissolve the compound enabling you to really get it done. The oil is beneficial to the leather too. I use my industrial sewing machine oil which is white (clear) but I have also used motor oil. If your doing a kitchen strop you might try a food grade mineral oil or the oil they sell for conditioning cutting boards.

@MrWildWales 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info I've just been bought one of these and this is very informative

@mo-reesespieces9066 3 жыл бұрын

great video, with some kitchen knives they have both straight blade near the handle with the other half serrated ending at the tip. The serrations are very small but not sure the best way to try to sharpen them. IE: steak knives, etc. these are full tang, not cheap (in cost) steak knives.

@durango8882 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks man! ✌🏻I use Victorinox sharpening ceramic pen, works great.

@Master-AGN 3 жыл бұрын

Are usually finish my knives off with 1500 Emory paper on top of strip of hard rubber. The slide give in the rubber mimics the given leather. So the knives always end up shaving sharp.

@Leftyotism 5 ай бұрын

Corona was horrible and still poses danger to many people with not so good health, but isolating ourselves sure made for some nice internet gems.

@hughtempleton8640 18 күн бұрын

Great video. Thank you for sharing ❤

@mburke1211 2 жыл бұрын

Nice tutorial! This same process works great on chisels if you’re a woodworker.

@Lunies666 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much. Just got into wood carving. You speak clearly, you’re thorough and you’ve taught me something new!!

@knifecenter 3 жыл бұрын

Glad to be able to help, Lunies! -DCA

@ponchowizard5182 4 жыл бұрын

You can also make one at home from an old belt and polishing compound.

@AYellowPepper 4 жыл бұрын

Actually, Cardboard and toothpaste works too... its what i reccomend my customers for diy maintenence

@ponchowizard5182 4 жыл бұрын

@@AYellowPepper absolute madness! I never in my life would of thought of that. The added bonus is your knife smells minty fresh afterwards too.

@bobhunter4525 4 жыл бұрын

@@ponchowizard5182 q

@TunaOverland 4 жыл бұрын

Good video, David!

@fredericsupercycle4136 Ай бұрын

a big TX for the video my friend!!! :D

@Yeti480 Жыл бұрын

Great info thank you! I ordered the bat

@scottwilson1258 4 ай бұрын

Thank You David!

@adambellesheim5706 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome video! Very good info!

@wallyfirkins1664 3 жыл бұрын

Great video. Very informative! Thank you!

@kevinkendall3089 2 жыл бұрын

Very informative, thank!

@AdamasOldblade 4 жыл бұрын

Ha, my EDC today was the champagne gold Bareknuckle. I love this thing.

@knifecenter 4 жыл бұрын

It is a great knife and love the color!

@Leftyotism 5 ай бұрын

Whoah DCA got that old school Opinel! Most likely their classic carbon steel. I bought me a new one with their classic carbon and I really love it. No 8 of course.

@GrantHendrick Жыл бұрын

Thank you for such a helpful video!

@IvanIvan-so6se 2 жыл бұрын

I appreciate you and your videos!

@richardmarjen9183 2 жыл бұрын

As a general rule I use the strop to eliminate bur from sharpening on the stone and the honing rod to straighten the knife edge when I'm using the knife.

@robertthompsonii6657 3 жыл бұрын

Very well done!

@shaunmcdaniels2460 3 жыл бұрын

Hello. Thank you for the video. I didn’t catch it if you Said what grit the black and green are... I have used a strop for years... I just put my whetstone oil on the leather and then did lightly oiled clean leather... My dad taught me... Thanks again...

@stevenlachance8576 3 жыл бұрын

Nice video as usual.

@Ve-suvius 3 жыл бұрын

You look like Murray Carter's brother.. You look just like him. Great guy. You seem to be as well 😉👍. Excellent voice and explaining. Sandpaper first then stropping fits the bill. I'm already doing the sandpaper sharpening as my preferred method. Now only the leather strop along with it. I had the Japanese waterstones but found it cumbersome, messy. Why, when sandpaper is so much more practical/quicker. And diamonds wear off in my experience. I'll stick to the paper, and the strop ..

@richardrudy2834 Жыл бұрын

Excellent video bud thanks 👍👍

@tinamckeage6665 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this awesome video

@DanielStewart1 5 ай бұрын

Great video and very informative! Please don't ever strop doing what you're doing, because you're doing it right.

@JIM3823 3 жыл бұрын

VERY HELPFUL

@badbanner753 Жыл бұрын

Amazing video!

@Hungrybird474 2 жыл бұрын

Mt dad said he liked to keep a leather strap oiled . I seen some of the systems but won’t some 2-3000 grit sandpaper work just as well . Not having luck stropping d2 and them civivis r sharp but this boker was dull and I just started . I ll try again tomorrow night

@bkipad 2 жыл бұрын

Great instructions thanks!

@daisywalker119 4 жыл бұрын

Really like the strop bat. Ordered one today. ON BACK ORDER...WAH!!! Just kidding. Keep the videos coming David.

@rube6729 10 ай бұрын

I typically strop my knives every couple of days, even if they've just opened a couple packages. Keeps them hair shaving sharp at all times. I have some really nice stones that I never need to use anymore. lol