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.

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.

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

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!

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!

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 !!

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.

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.

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

Excellent! Some of the best info I've seen on stropping and sharpening.

Clear teaching format....could listen for hours!!!

Its an absolute pleasure to watch your videos. Concise, informative - a breath of fresh air

Another great and useful video; thanks for clearing-up the differences between the compounds.

One of the clearest explanations of this (or anything else) I've seen on YT, superb. And incredibly useful. Thanks a lot.

Absolutely SPOT ON description! Thanks, mate! 🤠

Thank you for patiently teaching us beginners. I'm learning much from you videos.

This is a really useful and comprehensive roundup as I have come to expect from this channel. Thank you for the time and effort and the humour!

i watch a lot of these type videos. This is one of the best. Explains quite a bit and tells you what you need. Thanks!!!!

A nice and practically useful summary of the whys and hows of stropping. Well done!

Thank you so much for the great information. I've dabbled with stropping on various materials in the past. This video cleared up a lot of confusion for me.

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

This was incredibly helpful for me as a knife sharpener, thanks Stumpy.

As always, another great video. Thank you for what you do. You consistently provide useful information in a way that is easily understood.

I’m new to all this. What a great start you’ve given me. Thanks

Been wondering about all of this since I started woodworking for physical therapy a few years back and you pretty much covered everything I wanted to know about. Thank you so very much!

I’m watching your videos more and more as I’ve gotten a lot of information out of them. You present the topics very well and I enjoy learning from you. Something about teachers who can connect with their students being more effecting. Keep up the great work!

Another fluent delivery. You always leave me with the feeling that you absolutely know what you're talking about. Great stuff!

Another excellent video well researched and presented without all the noise that so many of them contain. Thank you.

I'm happy youtube's recommendations led me to this. It's the info I needed. Thanks for the video!

EXCELLENT presentation! Thank you!

I am new to stropping and found your information very useful. Thanks John

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.

Good info! I've carved for over 40 yrs & even I learned something.

This presentation is the best I have seen on stropping and answers questions on grit equivalents for paste and various media that I have had over the years Clear and succinct, Thank you for the excellent presentation.

As always, no fuss and straight to the point. I really likebyour videos as they are a good source of information. I'm very new to woodworking and trying my best to make it my new hobby. Thank you again and keep upthe good work. JL

Thank you! At last I found really unbiassed, clear advice on this subject. I like that you don't take an age to explain things but cover everything well. It's a fine balance. You've given be the confidence to dig out my old tools and give them a new lease of life.

Great advice and really de-mystifying the whole process. Thank you.

Thanks so much for this! I'd been trying to improvise my way through the process and was doing okay, but it's so nice to hear it all clearly laid out and explained. Thanks!

Excellent presentation! Thank you for the time and effort you clearly put into producing this video. I will direct others to your work.

Great info!! Thanks. 22yrs as a Cabinetmaker...still learning!!😆 Thanks for a great video!

Watched a lot of videos and read many articles on sharpening techniques and equipment but this is by far the best I've come across that explains the purpose and use of stopping and stropping compounds. Its clear, concise and progress in order that avoids confusion. With and excellent summary to finish off the video. Two thumbs up!

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!

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!

Gotta be one of the clearest and most straightforward vids for understanding the actual edge 'mechanics', and the appropriate tools, for sharpening and final honing... thx much!

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!

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

Thanks for the video! I have an old belt that I have been cutting up for leather for small projects, but now I want to try to use what's left as a strop.

Thank you for making the seemingly complicated so much easier to understand. I’ve got it now.

Great video. Thank you for the effort that went into it and sharing your knowledge

this is incredibly comprehensive i have been serious hobby sharpening for over a decade and this is the best explanation of stropping i have seen. including certain honing and sharpening channels. great job! thank you.

One of the cleanest, most helpful explanation that I have heard. Interesting, and with some new ideas for me.

You always gives me something new or think about and having spent my life working with metal and now at 83 getting into word working I have another set of skills to learn thank for the videos you put out.

You did an incredible job explaining the use and benefits of a leather strop. You also cleared up some misconceptions th

I wish I could have found this video weeks/months ago when I was learning how to sharpen my outdoor tools...I did end up getting there, but this was the most informative and organized video I've seen on this subject. Thank you.

I loved your explanation you always hit the mark when should I clean the leather of the strop

This gentleman is an EXCELLENT presenter. Thorough, well-ordered content. Very well done!

Thank you Mr. Hamilton, this was very informative as I am about to begin sharpening my (Deceased Father-in-laws) old chisels & a couple of planning blades. This information will help a lot!

This was one of the most beneficially videos I have seen on sharpening!!! I started using a strop and it changed my life!!!

I watch a lot of instructional videos and so far this was the best, informative without all the drawn out waffle.

Nicely done! Clear explanations. I’ve been studying and practicing sharpening techniques for decades; many many opinions and facts to wade through. You did not present anything that I have not found to have solid basis and THAT is truly unusual. Thank you for sharing.

All other videos are so confusing. Thank you, you did an incredible job answering all my questions as they came up. Amazing

Wow. So Smart and so helpful. Thanks very much.

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 stone.......if there is no shiny magazine handy. Never thought I’d share this info with anyone, let alone the interweb.

This gentleman is an excellent educator. I truly enjoyed this video and learned a great deal. Articulate, factual, helpful and to the point. Thank you!

Thank you for the info on the approximate grits per compound

Great video! Clear concise and highly informative. Thanks👍

Going from staff carving to chip and relief carving, I had no idea how to use a strop. Thank you for this tutorial!

Very clear and useful explanations !! Thanks dude !!

Thank you Stumpy Nubs, this was a real eyeopener for properly sharpening handtools.

Great timing! I just purchased a scrap of cowhide from Tandy to make strops for myself and a couple of friends. I had planned on mounting leather to both sides of a paddle shaped piece of wood and wasn't sure which side of the leather to face outward. Problem solved! One side smooth, one side rough, charging the rough sided piece with polishing compound. As always, great information.

Thanks for a very good explanation and simple method of maintenance for keeping a blade sharp.

Your helping me be a better woodworker and sharpener

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.

Enjoyed this sharpening technique, works great. Thanks for sharing with us. Keep up the good work and videos.

Wow. Brilliant video. Helped me understand stone and strap. Thank you.

I use 400 diamond --> 1000 diamond --> rough strop glued (well, DST'd) to wood & loaded with Veritas green compound. After a month or two of use the strop is no longer very rough & the edge improves, but for a quick strop & back to work it's pretty good from day one. BTW, toothpaste is also a very fine abrasive...

Hi James, as a beginner to wood carving I find your tutorials very useful Regards, Phil

Thank you for sharing! This clears up a lot of information for me.

Thank you best video yet! I’m new to the craft and want to begin on a good path.

You know your stuff and present it well. Thanks.

Thank you. Excellent tutorial!

Hi Stumpy I have been watching your videos for years. This was a very in lighting one. I do think a lot of people are to obsessed with sharpening. Spending more time sharpening then working.. Thanks John

Thanks for the honest review.

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 KZfaq 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 KZfaq, 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 KZfaq 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!!

Great video! Great teaching! Thanks a lot!

After years of watching wood KZfaq videos, I must say your channel regarding the knowledge about any product, is always the best, and the most useful. Thank you for all you share with us. An excellent video.

I think that you covered all the important points. Great job

Great videos! I watched this and the one on diamond stones. I'm a complete beginner, and they were really helpful!

You have a way of getting down to the fine points (pun not intended) that I like to understand. First time I have heard about bending and replacing the steel edge. Well done, sir.

I have been sharpening, began with scissors then knives, as a part time job for years and find myself now adding more and more different items to my repitoire. I now plan to begin adding straight razor sharpening

Thanks for the comprehensive presentation.

Exceptionally clear concise presentation.

Just the information I was looking for. Thanks very much!

Lots of great info in this video on why we do what we do on a strop

Clean presentation. Straight to the point... Well Done ~

This is a very, very good video. So helpful, thank you!

I appreciate the information that you provide. Your delivery and personality are refreshing. To include, you covered one stroop question. To use the rough and smooth sides of the leather. THANK YOU! (Go Red Wings)

For years I was on a fool's errand--trying to find the "perfect" sharpening system. I have spent thousands of dollars over the years on every kind of stone and jig imaginable--diamond, ceramic, waterstones, Arkansas stones, jigs, and of course, "scary sharp" with sandpaper. What I learned was that they all work well. Just pick one. I did the same with strops too--tried half a dozen different compounds, and even rubbing a metal polish (Flitz) into the leather. My favorite (and the only one I use today) is a green chromium oxide compound on the grain side of leather (the smooth side) which is glued to a piece of Baltic Birch plywood scrap that was the right size. Today I still flip around between diamond and waterstones for sharpening, but I always finish with stropping with green compound. If you buy an inexpensive USB microscope you can see for yourself what is happening to the edge with each process. It's useful for a quick check to see if you're ready to move up a grit when sharpening--no more guesswork.

Thx for the video, very informative...you took the mystery out of stropping.

I found that very interesting and learned a lot, i was looking for razor sharpening advice but everything you said gave me a better idea of sharpening as a whole, auto paste and mdf is something i had never thought about, sounds like that could be good for quite a few tools and knives. Thanks.