I just came back to this one for a review and wow, took my Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter from box cutting every day use dull to hair shaving sharp with just the strop. Keep-Em coming ApostleP.
Just got my leather strop in the mail today. And man you are right made my edge real shiny. Was cutting paper like I was dicing tomatoes. All different angles coming into the paper and went through like butter....
So im using a Lansky, 25 per side on a benchmade in 154cm, I take it to the fine stone (600) then a little bit of strop. It comes out sharp, phone book paper the whole 9, Butttt the edge last for a few strokes through cardboard and is totally dull, light reflections on the entire edge. I am just not sure what I am doing wrong. Any words of advice would be greatly appreciated.
I know this video is almost 2 years old, so hopefully you still check your inbox. I just picked up a sharpmaker and am having trouble sharpening someone of my knives. More specifically, cheaper knives made from stainless steel. I just can't seem to get an edge on them. Suggestions?
Every knife you have sharpened for me has only ever needed a touch up on the fine and uf on the sharpmaker, then a strop with the red on my block and a final with an old hanging barbers strop laced with green one side and clean on the other. Listen to Rob guys if you are new to this hobby, he knows his stuff.
Nice vid... i have a question do you think its possible to get a mirror edge using only the sharpmaker and a strop? I only have the 4 stones that come with the sharpmaker do you think if i have the extra fine ones it wil be possible? My local knifestore told me it is not necesarry if you use a strop with compound... i really like a mirror edge like yours but i live in the netherlands so sending my knife to you would be a bit expensive... greets and thanks
I think achieving the kind of edge I get with the Edgepro with a Sharpmaker would be extremely difficult if just for the fact that it's impossible to maintain an angle as exacting as you can get with an Edgepro. Also, there isn't a range of grits adequate for this result. I've owned a Sharpmaker for years, and there's a good reason it's been relegated to touch-up work.
It depends on many factors. The UF rods for the sharpmaker really make a difference. Follow that up with some 1u CBN on roo and I bet you can get a near perfect mirror.
Hi Rob, great video. I'm new to the hobby and have been looking around online to purchase materials to make my own strop and haven't found with any detail what leather to purchase. Looks like most retails sell the completed strop. Thanks
Even as someone who sharpens their own knives, the Sharpmaker is such a nice quality of life tool. Without it, if I want to touch up an edge I have to get out my main setup and all the different stones and equipment I use with out. It just feels kinda silly to spend 5 minutes setting up just to sharpen for 30-60 seconds.
Hey Rob! Thank you for this video. I have a question concerning the "stability" of the rods in the Sharpmaker. I noticed that yours (like mine) have a tendency to rock or sway under sharpening pressure. Have you noticed this and has it ever presented a problem?
Great point! I'm sure the effective angle of my 40-degree side isn't 40 degrees anymore, probably closer to 45. But most of the rocking happens when my tip drops below the surface of the fixture. I noticed that when I reviewed the video.The rods are sort of going the other direction at that point. But to answer your question, I don't know that it's particularly a problem. In fact it actually makes it easier for the rods to contact the apex if the angle has become a bit wider due to wear over time. Since I only use my Sharpmaker for honing the very apex of an already properly profiled edge, it still works fine. Hope that helps :)
TheApostleP I have a question, does the value of the stropping on the leather come mostly from the stropping compound you use or from the texture in the leather. Could you get good results on a dry piece of leather?
Very informative video. Are you using the fine or the ultra fine stone? A fella that I know has a sharpmaker and he tried to do a little re profiling on a blade and said it would probably never happen. I told him he should start watching your videos and it would have saved him some aggravation.
Those are just the fine rods, biguy. I should probably invest in a set of UF rods too, but the strop seems to clean up after the fine ones pretty well.
I think Stropman on ebay is a great maker / provider of strops. His craftsmanship is good and so are his prices. For most blades and steels, a 2-sided strop system is more than adequate. Also, in my application, I see no need to strop down to .5 or .25 microns (there are some diamond spray compounds in this range). My strop has a very open rough grained side on which I use gray rouge compound, and a still open, but finer grained side on which I use green compound. These rouge compounds are basically a waxy binder with aluminum oxide suspended in them, specifically made for use with cloth polishing wheels and strops. That combination works well for me as the next steps in the sharpening process after 2000 or 3000 grit polishing tapes on my Edgepro. They also work well as seen in this video after honing on the fine rods of the Sharpmaker. Hope that helps!
Excellent tutorial Rob! Just the other night I pulled the old Sharpmaker out to sharpen my Case Small Stockman... forgot how useful of a tool that thing is! :) Excellent stropping technique too... I learned something new today! :) (BTW, what brand strop is that?)
That old strop has been with me for years. I'm not exactly sure, but I think I bought it from Stropman on eBay. He has a very good selection depending on what you're looking for, and his prices are very good.
TheApostleP I thought maybe it was a Stropman. Been meaning to buy one of those for a while now. I have (other than my WE strops) a Knives Plus strop which is also pretty decent... but I do want a Stropman too... thanks for reminding me! :)
I use home made strops, leather over wood. I prefer to use hides with smooth consistent flesh sides (the inside of the hide). I use 2.0 micron CBN emulsion and 0.5 micron diamond spray most of the time. I also have black and green wax bound alumina compounds for lesser steels.
I noticed that you strop from the heel to tip, and then tip to heel. Is there a specific reason you do it that way? I will be buying a strop soon; do you recommend a specific one?
I do that for burr mitigation more than anything. The slightly different angles of attack just assure that any sort of dangling burr is removed during the stropping process. "Stropman" has excellent strops online, but there's no rocket science to a strop.
I've seen many ways of loading a strop with compound. Some fellas have crazy complicated methods of loading a strop up. What method have you used on your strop. I'm on the fence ready to repurpose an old work belt as a strop like yours. Also does price equal quality with strop compounds? Does it even matter? Thanks again for another great video.
I got my water stone today and I messed around with my old Benchmade barrage mini to see what I could manage. Even after a good bit on the 1000 grit I couldn't get it to shave hair which isn't surprising but it did make it process cardboard better than before when it was quite dull. Not to mention when I feel the edge it no longer feels like I can run my fingers along it without fear of getting a cut.
You can hear that knife edge skipping over the minor lumps in the ceramic rods on the stropping stroke. One "pop" each left and right side. I ran a cheapo Harbor Freight diamond hone over all my Sharpmaker stones (med, fine and UF) because they were all lumpy from the mfr. Thanks for a great bunch of knife vids - yours are my favorites on youtube!
Although by doing that you change the grit of the stone as the ceramic stones by spyderco are finished on the surface to form its grit. I.e spyderco's fine and ultra fine stones are the same material just differently lapped. Great idea though.
Excellent video. Thank you.
you have taught me so much with your videos I don't need to send my knives to you or anyone else to sharpen. Greatly appreciate you!
I love how informative the videos you make apostle p, just trying to understand why so much pressure for stropping, no offense
Nicely done Rob,
Thanks a ton rob
No problem, buddy :)
That helps immensely. So does your witness. I'm off to get a strop.
Thanks for these 2 videos,very helpful.
I just came back to this one for a review and wow, took my Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter from box cutting every day use dull to hair shaving sharp with just the strop. Keep-Em coming ApostleP.
Great video!
Lots of wisdom
Nice vid Rob, I am a total sale on the value of stropping. Bringing out the polish with the strop at the end of sharpening is addicting.
You definitely get it :)
Great video, Rob-very helpful.
Just got my leather strop in the mail today. And man you are right made my edge real shiny. Was cutting paper like I was dicing tomatoes. All different angles coming into the paper and went through like butter....
Great video and great philosophy on sharpening/tools. Glad I found this channel. Grace and peace brother.
Very helpful Rob - The perfect follow-up to maintaining my shiny ApostleP edges, thanks!
I always learn something watching your vids. Thank Rob! This series is very helpful.
So im using a Lansky, 25 per side on a benchmade in 154cm, I take it to the fine stone (600) then a little bit of strop. It comes out sharp, phone book paper the whole 9, Butttt the edge last for a few strokes through cardboard and is totally dull, light reflections on the entire edge. I am just not sure what I am doing wrong. Any words of advice would be greatly appreciated.
Hi ApostleP. These 101 Videos have been extremely educational! Thanks for putting out excellent content.
I know this video is almost 2 years old, so hopefully you still check your inbox. I just picked up a sharpmaker and am having trouble sharpening someone of my knives. More specifically, cheaper knives made from stainless steel. I just can't seem to get an edge on them. Suggestions?
+raw157 In my "Knife How To's" playlist, I have a multi-part Edgepro tutorial series. You should check it out.
Good stuff sir.
Every knife you have sharpened for me has only ever needed a touch up on the fine and uf on the sharpmaker, then a strop with the red on my block and a final with an old hanging barbers strop laced with green one side and clean on the other. Listen to Rob guys if you are new to this hobby, he knows his stuff.
Great video. I would like to second the motion for a video on paste and strop selection, if I may.
Nice vid... i have a question do you think its possible to get a mirror edge using only the sharpmaker and a strop? I only have the 4 stones that come with the sharpmaker do you think if i have the extra fine ones it wil be possible? My local knifestore told me it is not necesarry if you use a strop with compound... i really like a mirror edge like yours but i live in the netherlands so sending my knife to you would be a bit expensive... greets and thanks
I think achieving the kind of edge I get with the Edgepro with a Sharpmaker would be extremely difficult if just for the fact that it's impossible to maintain an angle as exacting as you can get with an Edgepro. Also, there isn't a range of grits adequate for this result. I've owned a Sharpmaker for years, and there's a good reason it's been relegated to touch-up work.
Ok thanks... i guess i have to get me a edgepro then..
It depends on many factors. The UF rods for the sharpmaker really make a difference. Follow that up with some 1u CBN on roo and I bet you can get a near perfect mirror.
What type of strop and compound would you recommend buying there are so many choices.
Hi Rob, great video. I'm new to the hobby and have been looking around online to purchase materials to make my own strop and haven't found with any detail what leather to purchase. Looks like most retails sell the completed strop. Thanks
Even as someone who sharpens their own knives, the Sharpmaker is such a nice quality of life tool. Without it, if I want to touch up an edge I have to get out my main setup and all the different stones and equipment I use with out. It just feels kinda silly to spend 5 minutes setting up just to sharpen for 30-60 seconds.
Hey Rob! Thank you for this video. I have a question concerning the "stability" of the rods in the Sharpmaker. I noticed that yours (like mine) have a tendency to rock or sway under sharpening pressure. Have you noticed this and has it ever presented a problem?
Great point! I'm sure the effective angle of my 40-degree side isn't 40 degrees anymore, probably closer to 45. But most of the rocking happens when my tip drops below the surface of the fixture. I noticed that when I reviewed the video.The rods are sort of going the other direction at that point. But to answer your question, I don't know that it's particularly a problem. In fact it actually makes it easier for the rods to contact the apex if the angle has become a bit wider due to wear over time. Since I only use my Sharpmaker for honing the very apex of an already properly profiled edge, it still works fine. Hope that helps :)
TheApostleP Thank you! That does help -- a lot!
So what can I not do with the sharpmaker that you would do for my knives if I send them to you?
Watching you do that to your knife made me flinch! Thanks for the great video, and have a blessed Sunday!
TheApostleP I have a question, does the value of the stropping on the leather come mostly from the stropping compound you use or from the texture in the leather. Could you get good results on a dry piece of leather?
You can use bare leather, especially at the very end, as it does have polishing capability, but the compound definitely helps the process. along.
Very informative video. Are you using the fine or the ultra fine stone? A fella that I know has a sharpmaker and he tried to do a little re profiling on a blade and said it would probably never happen. I told him he should start watching your videos and it would have saved him some aggravation.
Those are just the fine rods, biguy. I should probably invest in a set of UF rods too, but the strop seems to clean up after the fine ones pretty well.
Hey Rob I've been a cowering the internet because I've been looking for a good strop and what makes a strop good and have come up empty....any advice?
I think Stropman on ebay is a great maker / provider of strops. His craftsmanship is good and so are his prices. For most blades and steels, a 2-sided strop system is more than adequate. Also, in my application, I see no need to strop down to .5 or .25 microns (there are some diamond spray compounds in this range). My strop has a very open rough grained side on which I use gray rouge compound, and a still open, but finer grained side on which I use green compound. These rouge compounds are basically a waxy binder with aluminum oxide suspended in them, specifically made for use with cloth polishing wheels and strops. That combination works well for me as the next steps in the sharpening process after 2000 or 3000 grit polishing tapes on my Edgepro. They also work well as seen in this video after honing on the fine rods of the Sharpmaker. Hope that helps!
Excellent tutorial Rob! Just the other night I pulled the old Sharpmaker out to sharpen my Case Small Stockman... forgot how useful of a tool that thing is! :)
Excellent stropping technique too... I learned something new today! :) (BTW, what brand strop is that?)
That old strop has been with me for years. I'm not exactly sure, but I think I bought it from Stropman on eBay. He has a very good selection depending on what you're looking for, and his prices are very good.
TheApostleP I thought maybe it was a Stropman. Been meaning to buy one of those for a while now. I have (other than my WE strops) a Knives Plus strop which is also pretty decent... but I do want a Stropman too... thanks for reminding me! :)
Great vid Rob and thanks. I really enjoy your presentation and the way you add Christ into each of your videos.
Christ's peace to you.
And to you as well, brother. Thanks for the kind words :)
Can you share a decent strop I can buy on Amazon? Thanks
Looking to get a strop.
Which do you use, ApostleP? And which compounds?
I use home made strops, leather over wood. I prefer to use hides with smooth consistent flesh sides (the inside of the hide). I use 2.0 micron CBN emulsion and 0.5 micron diamond spray most of the time. I also have black and green wax bound alumina compounds for lesser steels.
I noticed that you strop from the heel to tip, and then tip to heel. Is there a specific reason you do it that way? I will be buying a strop soon; do you recommend a specific one?
I do that for burr mitigation more than anything. The slightly different angles of attack just assure that any sort of dangling burr is removed during the stropping process. "Stropman" has excellent strops online, but there's no rocket science to a strop.
Thanks I wanted to get good quality leather though, wasn't sure if there were some cheaply made strops out there.
I've seen many ways of loading a strop with compound. Some fellas have crazy complicated methods of loading a strop up. What method have you used on your strop. I'm on the fence ready to repurpose an old work belt as a strop like yours. Also does price equal quality with strop compounds? Does it even matter?
Thanks again for another great video.
I got my water stone today and I messed around with my old Benchmade barrage mini to see what I could manage. Even after a good bit on the 1000 grit I couldn't get it to shave hair which isn't surprising but it did make it process cardboard better than before when it was quite dull. Not to mention when I feel the edge it no longer feels like I can run my fingers along it without fear of getting a cut.
Still wish I could sit down and learn from someone who has a lot of experience.
Hey do you have a brand for the strop that you use?
Thanks for this! Was just going to email you about how to touch up my knives you've sharpened. I have a sharpmaker coming...
You can hear that knife edge skipping over the minor lumps in the ceramic rods on the stropping stroke. One "pop" each left and right side. I ran a cheapo Harbor Freight diamond hone over all my Sharpmaker stones (med, fine and UF) because they were all lumpy from the mfr.
Thanks for a great bunch of knife vids - yours are my favorites on youtube!
That's a really good idea! Most Sharpmaker rods have imperfections, and mine are no exception.
Although by doing that you change the grit of the stone as the ceramic stones by spyderco are finished on the surface to form its grit. I.e spyderco's fine and ultra fine stones are the same material just differently lapped. Great idea though.
Ohhh the agony