How to Prep, Use, and Store Your Strops

[@Marinos8419]

To be honest, you dont need the strops. Just use the lapping films if you want a mirror. I use a normal strop for maintaining an edge and burr removal. Those lapping films are incredible 🤑

[@WickedEdgePrecisionSharpeners]

The Lapping Films do give a beautiful polish, no doubt. But the strops also serve different purposes than just a shine. They do a better job of removing the micro-serrations at the edge, leading to a more refined edge while also slightly rounding the bevels, creating a more durable edge than just using Lapping Films. Thanks!

[@Cold7733]

I’ve followed this video and when I strop it leaves a bunch of the compound on the blade, almost like the blade is wiping it off. Should that happen a lot? Am I putting too much compound or does it need to dry before use? Thanks

[@WickedEdgePrecisionSharpeners]

Good question. The compound needs to dry before use. If you're using the emulsions, they dry pretty quickly. The pastes take a little longer to dry but you can speed it up by spraying a very small amount of rubbing alcohol on the newly applied pasted and then rubbing it in some more.

[@Cold7733]

@@WickedEdgePrecisionSharpeners thanks! I’ll give that a try :)

[@RedBeardOps]

This was very helpful; thank you

[@WickedEdgePrecisionSharpeners]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BoolinFlyflaps]

Two degrees off is WAAAY too much. The strops don’t even make it halfway up the bevel with that much reduction in angle.

[@HamBone86]

What is the purpose of spraying alcohol on the strops after loading it with compound? Does it help by activating the compound or something?

[@ClayAllisonNM]

It helps the compound work into the leather and also aids in creating a little suction between the strop and the knife which promotes burnishing.

[@HamBone86]

Ok, thanks for clarifying!

[@patrik4561]

I was able to buy the WE Gen3 Pro today! Now, I want to expand my stones to 1500/2200, 3000/3 Micron Lapping. After watching the video, are the demonstrated strops with 1 micron and 0.5 micron, or would your lapping films be better for finishing? Which lasts longer, leather or lapping? I’m a bit confused with all the options!

[@WickedEdgePrecisionSharpeners]

If you're just going after a high polish, then Lapping Films are your best bet. If you're more interested in a more durable or refined edge, then the strops are how you should finish.

[@danielpetry1087]

I have the emulsion compound, but what is the other compound in the syringe and is it required?

[@WickedEdgePrecisionSharpeners]

Our paste compounds come in the syringes. They are just another option for a stropping compound. If you have the emulsions, you're good to go!

[@dantrinh4847]

I just bought Wicked Edge gen 4. And bought the leather strops. After watched this video. I follow exact with your demonstration. Start from the top and pushing up. I ended up cut into my brand new strip at the curve. 😢

[@WickedEdgePrecisionSharpeners]

Oh no! Reach out to our customer support team at [e-mail] and we'll get you some new leather strips!

[@jamms2966]

@@WickedEdgePrecisionSharpeners please consider velcro to attached the leather strip. the heavy layer of hot glue is nearly impossible to remove. Installing the new strip is a headache

[@sal1964]

Witch strops do I need if I don't want to change the angle after sharpening?kangaroo?

[@WickedEdgePrecisionSharpeners]

Yes, kangaroo leather is much thinner and has less give to it.

[@mantzbrinkman4780]

Are you using leather strops or balsa or other? I use your balsa strops so I don't need to change the angle.

[@WickedEdgePrecisionSharpeners]

In this video we are specifically using our leather strops. The tips and tricks can also be applied to balsa, although some users find that they only need to adjust the angle by one degree or not at all, like yourself.

[@jds4935]

How do you sharpen a small kitchen knife with the wicked edge??? The blade is not high and the sharpening stones come against the frame of the device!! Thx for info!!

[@jamestattersall640]

Maybe try the low angle adapter. Check it out at their website.

[@WickedEdgePrecisionSharpeners]

Check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXOylnuBqqqCbpI The trick is to clamp the knife as high as you can in the vise.

[@cudgee7144]

Get yourself a Tormek small knife attachment, a lot cheaper than buying add on attachments from WE. They are fantastic for all small knives including folders. Do some research on them if you are interested.

[@tearsien]

if I have a double sided strop and apply a compound on each side, is it alright to have one of the sides pressed on the surface? Do you think it'll mess with the compound at all?

[@WickedEdgePrecisionSharpeners]

one of the sides pressed on what surface?

[@tearsien]

@@WickedEdgePrecisionSharpeners workbench/wood, but I went and got two strops single sided anyways out of fear.