Angerstone Oversize Double Sided Leather Strop Kit(3" Knife Stropping Leather）with Ergonomic Handle - Knife Strop for Sharpening Knives, Wood Carving Chisels, Buffing Compound Included

The first “kit” I received did not include the two polishing compound sticks, so I returned it for a replacement, which did come with all of the pieces. The 14.3” x 3“ strop was nicely finished and assembled. The rough and fine leather pads each appear to be uniformly finished. After honing several wood chisels, I am pleased with the results and the kit seems fine for my needs. While I have experience sharpening with stones and diamond plates, I am new to honing. Unfortunately, I found the enclosed instructions confusing and of little use. Fortunately, there’s lot of videos out there on the subject. Unfortunately but not surprisingly, there’s a lot of debate about every aspect of honing.The wood block base of the strop caught my eye, as it was made of two pieces of quarter sawn pine glued together, a nice and unexpected feature which should provide a more rigid base for the leather pads. The strop set flat on my bench top, with no wobble.Regarding the included instructions: the product is made in China, so the instructions may reflect some interesting translations, as might the brand name. Neither the product listing on Amazon or the instructions indicate the grit level of the included honing compounds, but a related ad indicated that the white compound is a coarse grit and the green compound is a fine grit. I could not find any reference to the manufacturer’s website for more info.Here’s a quick view of my experience. Despite what is shown in the product video with the Amazon ad, every other source I have seen shows that honing on leather is a one way affair. The sharp edge of the tool should always be facing in the opposite direction of the honing stroke. Starting at one end of a leather pad, drag the sharp edge of the tool across the strop lengthwise while applying light pressure, lift the tool at the end of the stroke, set the tool back down on the beginning end of the pad, repeat. Never lead with the sharp edge into the leather as that will either shave the leather, dull the edge, and/or gouge the leather. Do several strokes with the coarse grit on the rough leather pad, then move to the smooth leather pad and the fine grit.As far as the honing angle, the general rule seems to be to stay with the angle established by the previous sharpening steps. It seems that most people hone tools freehand, but I might try using the guide that I use with my diamond sharpening plates for a more consistent angle.I sharpened the chisels down to 2000 grit on diamond plates prior to honing. Initially I was making 30 honing strokes on each of the two grits, on both the back of each tool (wood chisels) and on the angled face, for a total of 120 stokes per tool. Probably more than needed. There are likely too many variables (grit, hardness, pressure, edge width, red state / blue state, etc.) to make hard rules about the number of strokes needed, but the goal seems to be a mirror finish. I reapplied polishing compound after every two or three chisels, not sure if that is correct, but too much would seem to be more effective than too little. If I feel the need, apparently I can upgrade to higher quality polishing compounds for a more uniform and longer lasting grit.While honing the wood chisels in the direction of the handle. I noticed that sometimes the handle would tip down, as the leather pads are thicker than the wood handle. Maybe it was due to my honing technique, but I decided to stop the tipping. I glued a 3/4 inch square of wood, as thick as the leather pad, near the handle hole, on each side of the handle. And finally, be careful - those honed edges are extremely sharp.

Alright, buckle up, sharpeners, because we're about to dive into the world of blade buffing with the Angerstone Oversize Double Sided Leather Strop Kit. This isn't just any strop; it's the ultimate spa day for your knives and chisels, and it comes with its own ergonomic handle, because who said sharpening couldn't be comfy?First off, let's talk size - this strop is like the big daddy of strops. At 14.3" x 3", it's so large you might think you've accidentally ordered a leather pillow for your blades. But trust me, this oversized strop means business. It's like giving your knives a giant hug, ensuring every inch gets that final polish to a razor-sharp edge.The double-sided feature is where the magic happens. One side is smooth as a baby's bottom, perfect for that final touch-up that makes your blade whisper through whatever it's cutting. Flip it over, and you've got a lightly textured side, like a gentle exfoliant for your metal, refreshing the edge without making it feel like it's been through a sandstorm.Now, the handle. Oh, the handle! It's not just a handle; it's an ergonomic masterpiece. It fits in your hand like it was custom-made by elves in a sharpening workshop. No more hand cramps while you're giving your blades the love they deserve. This handle is so comfortable, you'll find yourself stropping just for the joy of it.And let's not forget the buffing compound. Angerstone includes not one, but two compounds - green and white, each promising to make your blades shine like they've just come out of a beauty pageant. Applying these compounds feels like you're a chef, seasoning your blades to perfection, ensuring they cut with the precision of a Michelin-starred knife.The quality of the leather is another story altogether. It's thick, durable, and feels like it could survive an apocalypse while still keeping your knives sharp. It's like the leather jacket of strops - timeless, tough, and stylish.In conclusion, if your blades have been feeling neglected, the Angerstone Oversize Double Sided Leather Strop Kit is here to save the day. It's not just about sharpening; it's about pampering your tools into peak performance. So, grab this kit, and let's make every slice, cut, and carve an experience that's smooth, sharp, and, dare I say, a little bit luxurious. Your knives will thank you, probably with a nice, clean cut through anything you throw at them.