Making A Stropping Wheel: Get that Knife Shaving Sharp!

[@BlackBeardProjects]

I recently made a wheel just like this one :) I feel like I can give you guys a couple of suggestion: If you don't have a lathe at all you can make a pretty good circle with a router and then turn it true when it's mounted to the motor. Then you can also turn the whole bench grinder the other way so that the wheel is spinning away from you and at that point you can work on the top of the wheel :)

[@reneemills-mistretta790]

ThankQ for your input, it helps me big time.👍

[@MrMd5555]

Damn good advice!

[@jamesoconnell9396]

Get yourself a stick of 'Zam', this polishing compound is the best I have ever seen! Gold, silver, copper, aluminum, brass/bronze, high carbon steel... Zam is the best lapping/honing compound I have ever seen!!!

[@johnmood5653]

James, where would one find "Zam" and what country are you in? I'm based in the USA, and I never heard of it. I've used "Flitz" for polishing jewelry and badges and such, & find that Jeweler's Rouge and finishing rouge works quite well.

[@jamesoconnell9396]

John, almost every jewelers supply shop should carry it, I use 'Indian Jewelers' here in New Mexico, but Rio Grande Jewelers has it as well. I personally try to stay away from Rio, They mark up their stuff too much, but hey, I am cheap...It is a product of Grobet USA, Carlstat NJ. My three inch bar is now seven years old...

[@gustavjanson9682]

Nice. I would also be interested in a video about how to deal with warped blades after heat treat and flattening warped/bent bar stock.

[@jeverettrulz]

great vid and info as always! and thanks for the quick ship on the hamon dvd!

[@driveitlikeyastoleit55]

You can turn the mdf on your bench grinder if you don't own a lathe. Just make it as round as possible before trying to turn it. I used this method many moons ago and it worked fine. Same wheel still in use after 10+ yrs.

[@aluptown]

Mr sorrels do I have to normalize the metal ? They don’t do it on forged in fire ? I am doing this as a hobby . Thanks

[@twilight1972]

Why use a lathe to hone the disc? Why not just put it on the grinder and true it using a chisel or even a sanding block?

[@blainekrueger]

I was just thinking that myself...

[@lhinarizona6658]

I made one last year, but I don't have a lathe! I trued mine by mounting it on the bench grinder and using a small vise as a rest and a wood chisel. I use it by turning the bench grinder backwards and stropping on the top of the wheel. This way it is turning away from me and if the knife does catch, it's thrown against the wall.

[@SharpWorks]

For a little extra safety/ease of use, you could flip around your bench grinder and strop the knife on the top of the wheel so if it catches the blade, it'll throw the knife away from you. Thanks for the video, it's giving me the urge to make one myself.

[@lretxxz]

Real men don't need a reason to DIY anything... even knowing you can buy it. Made, not bought. I'm sure you're proud of it. Well done : D

[@zohranbloedjes9770]

Not to critcise you I love your vid but when I made one of the wheels. I just driled a hole in a roundish piece of mdf and turned it Whit a chisel on the grinder itself worked great

[@ared18t]

He did it for safety reasons

[@mrz80]

I'm going to wind up doing that too, as I don't have a lathe. :D

[@CKKnifeandTool]

I thought most of us came here to watch for your fashion tips and witty banter?! ;)

[@MrJsteed2009]

Walter, I was curious after seeing many knife sharpening tests; does the Knifemaker ever run out of hair on his arm after all those demonstrations? LOL!

[@geoffflato6065]

James Steed yes. yes we do it's why knifemakers don't wear shorts

[@MrJsteed2009]

LOL! Great answer! ;-)

[@BassmasterCB]

Haha, my legs really look like a patchwork rug :D

[@glennwiebe5128]

It's a great way to start conversations!

[@64t120r]

Yes. Hahahaha.

[@th_blck_knght]

How thin/sharp do you grind your blades before moving onto sharpening? Could you maybe talk about the magical treshold of grinding-sharpening in some video?

[@fivebranchfarms1137]

Walt your videos taught me how to forge and I heat treated my first knife today

[@koskey06]

I drilled the hole suck it in my grinder and held a course grit oscillating sander to it. Was it the safest way.... no. Also made another by spinning it on a corded drill and touching it to sand paper

[@kamikazekunze]

High quality shots, Check, good lighting, Check, great content, Check, shirt straight out of the hamper with flipped collar, Check!

[@1903A3shooter]

WHAT R.P.M. is that wood rated at??? I have seen grinding wheels blow up and it is not a nice thing to be standing in front of.

[@christopherneelyakagoattmo6078]

I just hope he has the camera rolling if/when it happens...

[@jamesoconnell9396]

You know, I have been around grinding wheels for 30 plus years. Aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, vitreous bond, different makers, and different grades. BUT, I have never had a wheel 'blow up' on me because I have always ring tested them. Tap on the edge of the wheel with a good hard piece of maple...If it rings, you are good to go, if it sounds flat, or doesn't sound at all, throw it out.

[@dg5450]

What are you talking about having a spinning wheel blowing up in front of you feel like a soothing message

[@redangrybird7564]

@@jamesoconnell9396 I think the question of an exploding wheel was referring to a stropping wheel made out of MDF. Anyways here is a question I have, Can I break in pieces a cracked aluminium oxide wheel and use the pieces to dress similar grinding wheels? Thanks in advance for your reply.

[@griffy85b]

Hey Walter, when are we going to see you on Forged in Fire?

[@johnmood5653]

He's already been on. Perhaps you'll see it in a binge watch when they start running them back to back all day.

[@docdoc]

So Dangerous do not do this unless you have experience with grinders and tools! never have the wheel spinning into the edge or it WILL catch in a second (and could injure you badly) - that is why commercial ones are made of stuff that doesn't catch like paper - felt - shreded leather and so forth. It works, yes, but a hand strop will work just as well when loaded with compound. I honestly think it is a stupid thing to have in the shop - buy a safe one and call it a day.

[@randoprior4130]

docdoc or just trail the edge, sack up a bit and wear your PPE

[@docdoc]

sack up? I've seen what this can do to someone, you wont be so stupidly macho with a spyderco lodged in your sack... Not everyone who watches this video will be "cool" enough not to do something stupid, sorry, I run a woodworking school, and teenagers that might watch this video can do very stupid things. this is one thing not everyone should have in thier shop..

[@glennwiebe5128]

Thanks for this Walter. I think that sharpening is either a lost art or one that has never been given its proper focus, at least here in the West. If you make a great blade what's the point if you can't make it sharp. I've been sharpening knives for years for friends and family. My very rudimentary but effective routine is short. I have a worn out 120 grit belt that I use to bring the edge back to the factory profile or establish one that should have been in the first place. Then I went to the buffing wheel/mop with a fine compound. Worked great for years, even on the knives I made myself. I happened to be in the shop of a local guy who has been around for donkey's years. One of the things he had that caught my eye was precisely what you just made. The only thing different was that he *turned the grinder around so that the rotation was going up and away from him*. That way, he had the knife on the top giving him better sight lines and if, by any chance, there was an issue, the knife would be thrown away from him completely. I went home and immediately made one from two sheets of 1/2" grade A plywood. After turning it, I gave it a light sand and then charged it. Now the buffing wheels are relegated to polishing bottle openers, blah, blah, ad infinitum. Thanks for the tut. Keep forging!

[@DouglasLoven]

I use my Harbor freight 1X30 with a very wore out 600 grit belt with green rouge. It's just as razory sharp as all that fancy business.

[@paulr5027]

I've got the razor sharp wheels, work great for about 5 knives, then need regritting. Trying different glues, anyone having grit retention problems/ fixes? Razor sharp says should be able to do 100 knives......

[@vernonthompson7695]

Walter, G'day coach, When mounting a stropping wheel to a grinder motor, what would you say if 'about-faced' the motor and used the upper quadrant for stropping? That way it has less chance of 'grabbing' my knife/chisel/gouge. I'm an 'apprentice' wood carver (aged 75 almost) and I really don't like pointing my blade dow in an awkward position. It's different on my belt sander; I have a ledge. Also when using a knife (ledge removed), I feel more relaxed because the blade is easier to hold at a horizontal position. Of course, it means I'll need to reach over the machine to start it. But that can be done safely. On the other side (left), I have a wire brush-wheel, and I have often had it snatch the item out of my hand (banging the tool into the wheel ledge, and sometimes trying to jam it). Cheers, Vernon Thompson, Hog Heaven Ranch, Seligman, AZ.

[@vikp6115]

Polished blade will shave but will not have enough grabbing power to cut few materials like rope, and stuff , too smooth knife will glide and not cut , so if you will polish ur knife , last thing tou want to do is change ur angle a degree and lightly run ur knife on like 1000grid stone to put some teeth back on the micro edge , wicked edge sharpening systems makes it easy to do.

[@shamanic1]

Multi-k $ lathe? Let's see...nope! $18.00, available, after living expenses? Let's see...yup! DONE!

[@kylejay6128]

Hey I don't mean to nit-pick, but "honing" does not remove metal. Honing referrs to the process of running the blade along a long a honing rod or similar tool which ONLY bends back, or straightens, the cutting edge. The end effect is a better cutting knife, but not sharper as no metal is removed. "Sharpening" removes metal. There are 4 stages to make a knife edge-shaping, sharpening and stropping, and honing is used in lieu of sharpening i.e. before cutting up your veggies for dinner.

[@dragan3290]

Subbed and liked because I saw MDF!( furry) it's already abrasive! 🙂👍👍👍

[@MrTimmmers]

A really cheap way I once did was a smaller piece mounted on a bolt in a drill clamped in a vice. Trued up with a sanding block.

[@asc3ndantone]

Is the polishing compound absolutely necessary? What if I do it straight on the mdf?

[@chstoney]

I just want to thank for this supertb tip. I made the wheel yesterday and it works like a charm. I was never able to re-sharpen a knife in a matter of seconds before.

[@bestrong1240]

Tim Wells has a hunting channel that's who you sound like it took me a while not that you need to know just saying

[@highcountrychronicles]

Isn't MDF powder poisonous due to the formaldehyde content?

[@highcountrychronicles]

Or should I say MDF dust....

[@patrickinottawa27]

The problem with MDF dust is the fibers have the same shape as asbestos. There like little hooks, once they get down into your lungs you won't be coughing them out. That's why anyone cutting MDF will usually wear a high quality dust mask or even a 1/2 mask respirator. It may be different in your local, but I believe most manufacturers in North America stopped using formaldehyde adhesive's about ten or fifteen years ago due to the health issues. I also understand it was more in regard to the particleboard or pressboard used in the manufacture of "for example" melamine kitchen cabinets. Not sure if Formaldehyde was used in MDF production.

[@TheGreatBooger]

Really enjoy your vids. You have helped me come a long way as a knife maker and now this. Awesome idea, can't wait to make one for my bench grinder.

[@bestrong1240]

I think it's more your narrating voice that really got me going on or channel just saying!

[@pedrogonzalesgonzales5097]

Buffing , stropping , polishing , honing Quite confusing

[@BRpunkRock]

Loading up one of your old worn out 2x72 belts with compound does the same thing.

[@Allegedly2right]

D.I.Y. Haven’t got them tools it’s a garden shed

[@jpbianco7838]

It's ok, if you have all the gear to do it ,load of people don't have .

[@jmakes3745]

you should try a birds eye mount for the camera above the lathe, so you don't have to worry about getting your arm in the way :) -great vid as always walter :)

[@ryanbishop3343]

What do those who don’t have access to a lathe do Mr. Sorrells ?

[@tomguertin7713]

Put gloves on before you loose a damn finger...

[@Covencraft]

Jasper circle jig with a plunge router

[@VinaySingh-be6yo]

What is the RPM of wheel..???

[@seanfrederickson4065]

wouldn't it be safer if you turned the grinder around so it's spinning away from you?

[@choppy1851]

Agreed. That's what I do, too. A bit of a pain to rotate and screw/bolt down without a spare, though. Fortunately, picked up Grandad's that no-one else wanted. Saved me contemplating a benchtop lazy-susan ...

[@seanfrederickson4065]

Not if your using it on top. It would throw it away from you. If you use it way it is in the video it's gonna throw it any where from your waist to your feet. I'll take my chance of having thrown at the wall any day than have it thrown at me.

[@seanfrederickson4065]

go watch another video on sharpening wheels he's not first person to do this on youtube. everyone else has no guard on it. they have it turned around and they are using it on the very top so it will throw it away from you. you and walter can be the only ones who do it that way that's fine. so go head and do it that way and i'll do it the way.

[@MidniteClubII]

you spent (I'm guessing) $5-10K to buy a lathe... I don't have a lathe and the whole thing seems like way too much trouble for a stropping wheel. The $18 bucks sound reasonable.

[@pasquale78]

My ODC is bothered by your collar.

[@christopherneelyakagoattmo6078]

My OCD is bothered by your dyslexia.

[@RobanyBigjobz]

My CDO is bothered by your not putting the letters in alphabetical order

[@marcus.s.]

Nice Shoulder😂😂

[@futuresonex]

I'm a fan of using a $45 6" buffer from Harbor Freight along with a pair of leather Flexcut Standard Power Strop wheels. All in you're spending far more than just the $20 for a paper stropping wheel for your grinder, around $85 total for the buffer and a pair of leather wheels, but you're also not using up one side of your bench grinder. Also, you don't have to get 2 Power Strop wheels. One will do the job. You'll just be spinning the buffer around a lot. I use three different strops depending upon what type of edge I'm sharpening/stropping and what level of polish I want. If I want a true mirror polish -- one that still looks like a mirror even under the 80x magnification of a USB microscope (most 'mirror polished' edges look like a hacksaw blade under magnification) -- I use the kangaroo leather & Nano Cloth strops with my TSProf guided sharpening system along with multiple diamond stropping solutions going all the way down to 0.1 microns. For most uses, however, that's a little on the ridiculous side. So for the majority of the knives I sharpen I use either the aforementioned buffer & Power Strop wheels or a simple 1"x 30" belt grinder with a Surgi-Sharp leather stropping belt. The Surgi-Sharp belt is for knives with convex grinds. For everything else I use either the TSProf or the buffer/Power Strop setup depending upon the level of polish I'm looking for.

[@Layarion]

i wanna know, as a noob with no equipment or sharpening system, which power tool kit/method I should take for the power tools life of sharpening my kitchen knives? I don't care about guide or free hand stones, just point me in the right direction for the power tools way.

[@snakeplithkin]

Re: wheel spinning direction ("up" or "down")... if you remount your grinder in the right corner of your workbench-- and can stand comfortably at the bench side/end-- you can use the MDF wheel over the top (with guards removed) spinning away from you, and the have left-hand abrasive wheel still spinning in the conventional direction. I built this same kind of wheel about ten years ago, but went to a six-inch diameter because the slower surface speed was more forgiving and generates less heat. Things happen very quickly on eight-inch wheel at full speed... YMMV.

[@jodyfree953]

Thanks for this

[@alexgolden8316]

This is funny, I made a wheel out of mdf because it was the only thing i could think of that would work. I came here to see what compound you used and when you said how you made the wheel I actually laughed. Anyways, I have a question. What is the rpm of your grinder?

[@jamesgatchet8148]

I recently watched your video on youtube making a stropping wheel now if you take and make another one you can take aluminum oxide powder fine to medium coat wheel with a thin layer of wood glue lay some powder on paper or cardboard and roll wheel through the oxide powder lightly and coat wheel evenly coating all the face of wheel .than slide wheel on grinder shaft just to support until glue dries 24 hours . Ok now mount the wheel on your grinder now take a piece of angle iron turn grinder on take angle iron and lightly touch iron against wheel what you are doing is leveling the face of wheel now with wheel turning press wax against wheel coating it now rub iron against wheel until wheel is smooth this is done with a lite touch stop wheel exam wheel and you haven't removed the iron powder your ready to sharpen your knife ( REMEMBER DON'T PLACE BLADE WITH CUTTING EDGE FACING THE TURNING EDGE RUNNING THE WAY THE WHEEL IS ) Lightly press knife against wheel 1 or 2 times then turn around and run the same amount of times on the other side watch for burr to form then when you like the way it looks then stroup knife on the other wheel. Just remember don't place edge of blade into turning wheel it will throw or RIP knife out of hand causing injury. This process done correctly will not heat up blade. And at the beginning of each sharpening touch a couple times with wax and touch polishing compound a couple times to strop. If you do feel blade getting warm dunk in water. And use less pressure. This wheel should last for 50 to 100 or more knife sharpening . To Reload sharpening wheel take 36 grit cloth backed sandpaper and run against wheel until wheel is smooth and clean then reload as when new .

[@googleuser859]

MDF dust from cutting or sanding can cause cancer I'm lead to believe, it's bad practice not wearing appropriate safety gear :-(

[@johnmood5653]

I imagine the medium and super fine grades of jeweler's rouge are also good to go. I've seen one opportunistic guy selling the cardboard version for $60.00, with 1/2 oz. containers of stropping compound said to be diamond dust. I have my doubts about his offer. I've got ideas about the fabric polishing wheels & jeweler's rouge in super fine...

[@kylejay6128]

Another important note on the topic would be that on smaller knives, this technique does run the risk of overheating the blade edge and taking out the temper from overheating. The temper is vital in maintaining the most durable edge possible-edge retention and toughness especially.

[@Tome4kkkk]

Why do you lift the heel up like that while polishing on that wheel while you keep your knives level when working on the belt grinder? I mean, aren't the contract areas on both basically the same as far as microbevel contact goes?

[@pazzy4501]

Well done 👍🏻, do we have to shape a dull blade surface by a rough stone 1st or we shall go for the wooden wheel only?!! Thanks in advance, keep up the good work 👍🏻

[@TJB1510]

CAN YOU MAKE ME A SIX INCH ONE WITH A 1/2 INCH ARBOR HOLE...? I DON'T HAVE A BAND SAW OR A LATHE . THANKS. I'LL COVER THE COSTS.

[@lukearts2954]

4:08 you could fix that by moving your camera position to above the drill side. After all, the lathe turns so it doesn't matter which angle you're looking at it, it always looks the same. You can even turn the camera sideways if you really like this viewing angle (so rotate the camera position around the lave axis). Never any problems with arms anymore...

[@seanmilligan895]

can I start knife making with a bench grinder instead of belt grinder it's cheaper to begin with ? I can get one for 50$.

[@mjrwey]

Can you sharpen flat blades with this method.....like chisels and hand planer blades?

[@wowguy3562]

Walter, seeing the amount of care you put into making your wheel, and the equipment in your shop, I have very high confidence you will end up with razor sharp knives. Thanks for showing how to get the job done right

[@Stoney327]

Walter I think it would be helpful if you could show ( close up ) what that " WIRE EDGE" looks like. I know, from being a knife maker and machinist what you're talking about, but a lot of your beginner viewers might not. No problem if you don't, just a thought. Thank you.StoneyPappy Dave's KnivesPa.

[@johnmood5653]

The "Wire edge" referred to is near microscopic, but can be felt with one's thumbnail, with great caution. Eliminating it will help you finish the sharpening of your blade. It's very difficult to photograph without an extremely expensive lens.

[@Stoney327]

Hello John Oh, I know exactly what a "wire edge" is. I've been a knife maker since 1966 and a machinist since 1968. I had just hoped that maybe Walter could show some to his subscribers for those not familiar with the term. The word wire in there may confuse some people? Wire has a whole different meaning to most folks. Thank you.Dave

[@aidencauger5743]

made my first knife today after watching your video on making a machete with no power tools. of course, I did use a drill press and bench grinder, but that's about it. you taught me how to heat treat and temper a knife and I'm grateful. also, that is one quiet bench grinder. Where do I get one??

[@FelishaWild]

I made one of these a week or so ago. I cut 2 wheels on my CNC router with the hole cut for the arbor and the washers. Using CA adhesive to glue the wheels together and used a flat scraper from my wood lathe and the tool rest I trued it up right on the grinder. BTW I made my wheels 9 inches in diameter because I had the space. Works great. :)

[@redsky8509]

behind my wheel (I sharpen blades a lot, as I need sharp blades for cutting leather) I put Card Board, several layers behind the wheel to catch blades if they fly.

[@L96A1BM]

Walter, I'm currently new to stropping and my problem is I always seem to strop off some of the coating of the flats of the blade and tips on how to prevent this?

[@billmcyrus]

What would you say the difference or advantage is, if any, between a wheel for the bench grinder versus a stropping belt for the belt grinder?

[@censusgary]

I was surprised you didn’t sand that wheel after you turned it on the lathe. But I guess the first time you strop a knife on your wheel, you accomplish the same thing.

[@danielkiefer8134]

Try turning the motor around on the cradle then you can sharpen on top of the wheel and in the event of a flyer it chucks it away from you. My dad uses a wheel on all his leather tools and has good success with it. Great videos and beautiful work!

[@LayneXIII]

Love your honesty. Great channel. I'm working over a cheap Walmart knife with tips from your videos. Thank you.

[@geoffflato6065]

I usually just use the hard sewn wheel on my buffer for this. might try making one of these next time I have the scrap MDF though

[@ibrahimi.2109]

Greatings from Turkey, Thanks for every information Mr. Sorrells.

[@SL-ez7qn]

Another good video and some very useful tips from Q and A. Love your channel. I’m going to make one of these

[@janroodbol5055]

to much chucks and lathe action. Il just fasten it to my grinder and take a good chisel and cut it till its straight.

[@nikola12nis]

Why not just make a hole in a wooden plate , and then draw a circle around it...much more precise

[@redangrybird7564]

Tomorrow I will head straight to the hardware store to buy a $5000 lathe to make a 18 dollar stropping wheel. Thanks for the video.

[@MrMZaccone]

I much prefer leather stropping belts on a belt sander. It gives me better angle control and really gives me an insanely fine finish.

[@divorcelab]

Really great presentation, audio clarity is far better than most. Thank you.

[@TheHotEndChannel]

Link to eBay to buy one ?

[@firemansteve829]

My variable speed Delta bench grinder is probably the most used piece of gear in my shop.

[@tonywalker8030]

I see that you got a handle on organized chaos, just to let you know, a patriot has nothing to do with Nationalism.

[@alansloop1243]

This is possibley the greatest thing I've learned on KZbin .

[@-Tokay-]

Now is the "hweel" a new take reinvention of the wheel, or are was just mispronouncing it?

[@namashoshani8197]

n

[@carlosmatos9848]

Nice, now I've got a reason to finally buy that bench grinder.

[@christopherstaples6758]

or just put it on the grinder then round it ... how many have a lathe ...

[@KowboyUSA]

I won't shave with my knife until it's been stropped.

[@Corpsegrinder138]

My 1x30 leather strop gets mirror edges and Razor sharp

[@chadhutchins646]

Just a beginner here Walter but these videos are a huge help. Thanks for the great tips.

[@boriszaprudin1458]

Doesn't polishing at this speed overheat the very edge of the blade?

[@saxman7131]

I bought a set. They both are pretty out of round or my grinder is. Lol.

[@daviddicken8394]

instead of using a polishing compound, could a poor man use a bar of soap instead?

[@cryolith]

If you have a harbor freight near you, they have the green chrome oxide compound for about $5. Not too much more than a bar of soap (which I don't think will work anyway).

[@mbm2355]

Sidewalk chalk, my friend. *Mirror.*

[@masterof1]

Soaps don't typically have the abrasives necessary for the polishing process. In fact I have never heard of a bar of soap with an abrasive compound in it. Go to Lewis Mercantile or ace hardware and you can find polishing bars for cheap.

[@tiger12506]

Lava brand has pumice in it, but the grit would be way too large.

[@jimmygrey6848]

I don't know what soap you use but mine doesn't have abrasives in it and it doesn't polish my skin.

[@berzerkrobot]

Ight, Im not a supporter on Patreon. Awesome videos!

[@C2FUX]

saw you on forged in fire , enjoyed it, nice video walt

[@luciancaliman1617]

Ich liebe es mittels guten Ideen Geld zu sparen und dabei auch noch handwerklichen Spass zu haben. Tolles Video, gut erklärt. Danke.

[@NotonlyWood]

Lucian Caliman Das sehe ich ganz genau so👍👍

[@shanerichardson9568]

Any time you can save money it helps. I like his ideas also.

[@embarassedcanadian7824]

Great I’ll just go get my industrial lathe.

[@billrutledge2441]

are you still going to do a 2nd video on your experience at Forged in Fire?