How To Make A Leather Strop - For Honing Your Cutting Edge

In this video I demonstrate how I made my leather strop and make six new ones using leather and hardwood ply offcuts.
They are available for sale on my Etsy store:
www.etsy.com/uk...
For sharpening I use the following items:
Honing Guide: geni.us/YKrrm (Amazon UK) geni.us/HB3B (Amazon US)
Taidea 360/600 grit Diamond Plate geni.us/MvOTB (Amazon UK) geni.us/DfFBe9v (Amazon US)
Japanese 1000/6000 grit Whetstone geni.us/NiEC5c (Amazon UK) geni.us/mwne (Amazon US)
Green polishing compound: geni.us/jOrQaL5 (Amazon UK) geni.us/4ikOgX (Amazon US)
For my method for sharpening check out this video (7 minutes in) geni.us/HB3B. Or the old video I mentioned in this video: • Sharpening Chisels & P... but my method has changed a bit as I now use a whetstone instead of the wet and dry paper.
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Clarke Stapler geni.us/ZuyMB0 (Amazon UK)

[@terrymccarthy2830]

Hi. I have found that PVA glue gives a firm, flat bond between the leather and base without causing the ridges which superglue can leave. Also try car polishing compound (Autosol) if you don’t have any honing paste on hand. Have fun and keep on Creating!!

[@thechumpsbeendumped.7797]

I was going to suggest the same glue. I’ve been using G6 car paint cutting compound and it gives a fantastic polished edge too.

[@DRJMF1]

Art shops sell low tack spray adhesive to bond sandpaper to glass substrate, making it simpler to remove sandpaper once it is ‘consumed’. Great video for newbies to get started on sharpening themselves.

[@rickschuman2926]

If you don't apply adhesive to 100% of the surface you have already created a failed adhesion, especially on some thing like a strop. the gaps in adhesive will bunch and roll and cause the leather to rise up to create an uneven surface. While the blade will appear to be equally shiny all over, the will be parts of the edge that will suffer the same sort of misshaping that occurs with wet and dry sandpaper when it softens.

[@joer5627]

Thank you. I need to make a few, with some going out as gifts

[@peter-radiantpipes2800]

I have all the components on the way to make 6-8 of these. Going with maple and full grain veg. tanned with .5 micron compound. Looking forward to making some large ones and a few field strops

[@larseriksson42]

Brilliant!

[@colinaskey9777]

always a good tip to keep your tools sharp,

[@JohnDavis-ed5sg]

I use Farecla G3 paint cutting compound on mine (because I've got a big bottle of it already) it works well.

[@puzzlering1]

Thank you for a very informative and interesting video, very well explained and presented Cheers Take care Sam

[@jasonrobinson9524]

Great video, thank you! Research prior to me making my strop shortly - super helpful!

[@Eliel7230]

Great ideas ! I think I will try this. Thank you for taking the time to share this information.

[@SouthpawDavey]

I use double sided carpet tape for my strops works a treat.

[@johnparkin58]

Hi Keith, instead of using your block plane to get a straight edge, you could try fixing a temporary piece of wood that overhangs slightly and is already already straight as a guide. Just a thought.

[@bazlur-Vancouver]

shiny side you can remove with 80-180 grit abrasive paper and remove the surface will be good

[@savantleo]

Informative and well presented . Be Well ..

[@KissMyFrog]

A simple and effective video. Thanks from France.

[@garyellis5401]

Cheers Keith it arrived today very happy mate cheers

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Thanks Gary! :-)

[@Mr_Judge_Benny_Hinn]

2 videos... you're spoiling us! I'm honing, honing, honing, honing...Mousse T...

[@Mr_Judge_Benny_Hinn]

Thank you!

[@Haddiraja1]

Great video. Very nice strops !

[@uktony1525]

Good video to explain. Will be following your directions to make on myself.

[@theriggsworkshop8606]

Great video. Nice one.. Maybe you could use the strop to sharpen your razor blade... Scruffy sod! 😉😁. P. S ive always got a can of spray carpet glue in my workshop... Comes in handy way more times than you think it would.. Id imagine it would be perfect for this.. P. P. S wilko's rocks

[@RagnBoneBrown]

I ❤️ Wilko’s too

[@perlyking]

Especially the nut and bolt pick'n'mix. Oh and the cheap mini spring clamps.

[@eozen81]

Thank you for this beautiful video.

[@4thbigsleez56]

try using contact ciment to glue the leather to the wood

[@johnparkin58]

Hey Keith, why not make a stencil and spray paint your makers mark on your stuff before applying a varnish finish. Keep up the good work. Incidentally, it is refreshing to find channels such as yours where you can find someone in the UK and not have to use US or countries where you are unable to buy half the stuff advertised in this country.

[@willoneill2831]

very good I've been looking for one of theme for some time now as I've got many pocket knife's very good videos I've subd you thanks

[@bedheadboy]

Thanks for the great video!!

[@Chuffichu]

mandame una a ciudad juarez mexico, excelente trabajo

[@yellerbellyworkshop]

Great vid ty. Another rag n bone Brown project going into my workshop ty.

[@phucnguyenCNC]

Amazing!

[@mick7662492]

Great with a straight razor 😉😋

[@b_pa55]

Good job 👍🏻

[@aliqadri4672]

Does leather works without green compound ??

[@jimwillockx2278]

Hello, could you please share what kind of leather it is that you used and how you prepared the leather before using in. Chrom-ox is the most popular, but some of the other rouges are softer or harder and require a bit of different prep. Thank you and very well done my friend.

[@DRJMF1]

Thank you. New to sharpening, need to buy the right equipment to sharpen chisel set. Which sharpening stones/ diamond are best to hand sharpen standard chisels for wood working ? Have you tried lapping a chisel in carborundum grit and water slurry on a flat soft steel block ? Also, alumina sandpaper glued to flat toughened glass can be used as the abrasive.

[@isaachoffmeister4188]

There are decent quality sets of diamond stones on Amazon from 400-1200 grit on Amazon for under twenty bucks! I bought some and have no regrets

[@saviolobo5754]

Where can I buy the polishing compound, what is it called please thanks

[@GnarledSage]

Does that little super glue works? Not even on the edges?? It will start to lift on the corners and then on the sides. Besides the ridges of the dried super glue will make the leather “bumpy” and not totally flat. If set on super glue it’s best to apply enough and spread it flat before placing the leather and clamping it. Epoxy works great, and contact cement is another very good (cheaper) alternative. Just for those wanting to make their own. Take this from my own trial and error.

[@More-Space-In-Ear]

Kieth, try a few lines of candle wax on your plane soles, works wonders 👍🏼

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Always! Beats oil

[@martingalvez503]

Tanks for your information video I will make my own 👍🇲🇽

[@More-Space-In-Ear]

Ideal.. 👍🏼😊

[@colinpritchard777]

Where do I buy one please

[@stalkercvc9908]

My leather a bit stiff... What can I do? .... Or its OK to use it stiff?

[@MikedUp]

Also wondering where in the UK you got that big block of green compound :) Nice simple clear video, thanks!

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Amazon

[@Zero_8347]

Still waiting for someone to make a cylindrical strop for inverse curves on knives like karambits and kukri

[@HectorSuzy]

Which brand/ and /or where did you buy the big green block of compound?

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Amazon

[@robertthornhill4379]

hi r, b, b,good video 8/10 bob in derby

[@scootscoot2k]

This is a very easy setup, so easy im going to make one tomorrow :) What is a good uk shop to get a block of polishing compound from?

[@RagnBoneBrown]

I don’t know of any but eBay and Amazon have plenty of options 👍

[@westriding100]

Can you tell me where I can obtain suitable leather to use as a strop in the West Yorks area please.

[@osbaldohernandez9174]

Can u leave a link for the buffing compound in the us amazon

[@fuceye]

wow ,how did you make that strop?

[@coffeebean6431]

Does the polishing compound have to be green? Ive seen them in red blue and black

[@RagnBoneBrown]

I don’t know I’ve only used the green so far

[@timetravellingbunny3952]

A web search for "jewelers rouge chart” will show that the color refers to the degree of coarseness (or fineness) of the compound. One site lists, in increasing degrees of fineness, Black Emery, Brown Tripoli, White Rouge, Green Stainless, Red Rouge, and Blue All Purpose. In addition, some of these may be preferable for one material (e.g., metal, wood, horn) rather than another.

[@SomethingFromTheShed]

Hi Keith. Im going to order one un the morning. Will you be sending the polishing compound too ?

[@RagnBoneBrown]

I ran out of the compound so the ones on Etsy at the moment are just for the strop I’m afraid

[@SomethingFromTheShed]

Rag 'n' Bone Brown ok Keith no problem il order some on amazon when i get home later

[@strandloper]

I made my strop some time ago (got the idea from Paul Sellers) and used contact adhesive, which is holding well. I have a question about the polishing compound. Is it supposed to have a soapy or waxy quality that rubs off nicely onto the strop? I have a vague recollection of it being so from school metalwork classes back in the late 70s. But the only compound I found in the local Builders Warehouse (South African chain like the US Home Depot I think, and part of the Walmart group) had several small bars of different colours in a pack that are all bone dry, like compressed chalk. Doesn't seem to work very well even when I tried to create a waxy base by rubbing on a candle before the compound. Without that it was just powder and didn't cling to the leather. I should probably go to a smaller hardware supplier and see if I can find something better.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Did you use front or back of the leather?

[@strandloper]

Same as you, glued the finished side to the wood.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

That’s strange then... maybe the compound was past it’s best? Not sure if it has a shelf life...

[@MikedUp]

Use some wd-40 to soften the leather up before applying. I used this for an MDF sharpening wheel I made to help the compound stick to the mdf and it worked a treat! I'd suggest a spray on the leather than have another go

[@diy-chris1332]

Happy honing 😂😂😂👍🏻👍🏻

[@CMD_GB]

Just letting you know, they don’t appear in you items for sale on Etsy when I looked.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

They all sold! I’ll make some more

[@CMD_GB]

That’s great!

[@michaelevans1658]

I made a strop paddle just place it on my bench hook and away I go .

[@Francois_Dupont]

uve got a loicence four dat?

[@SomethingFromTheShed]

Hi Keith. I am very interested in buying one of your leather strops although i dobt have an etsy account. Is there any other way i could purchase on from you ?

[@RagnBoneBrown]

You shouldn’t need an account, you can buy as a “guest”

[@SomethingFromTheShed]

Rag 'n' Bone Brown in tgat case Keith. Im going to buy one on monday. Cant wait

[@coryschlegel1604]

Where did u get your makers mark made at?

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Rubberstamps.co.uk

[@EliotThexton]

making me cringe with those square cuts on the table saw

[@joejackson647]

Inspired by this video I ordered a leather strop from "Rag 'n' Bone". A week later I receive something from the Ukraine (it also says "Made in Ukraine" on the box). This is misleading. Thanks for nothing and good bye!

[@RagnBoneBrown]

What? I don't understand. I haven't sold any recently, and they're certainly not made in Ukraine!