Strops -Make One ,Use One 

Doug, for the last 4 months I've been sitting down with my middle son and showing him that there are more people like us that like to carve. He has been teased at school by kids with no vision. Your calm mellow inspiring vidios have helped me help my son. Thank you and carve on

Mannn, uncle Doug... I tell you what... I feel flat-out honored. I did a double-take when I saw your shirt. Then I did it again. :D Can't thank you enough for your support. Also, I REALLY like your approach. I've seen people take themselves and sharpening WAY too seriously, and get hung up on specific tools and little details. I appreciate you so much, my friend.

Thanks Doug I'm 65 years old and After watching you on RU-vid for about 6 month you have inspired me to try my hand at carving after 40+ years of woodworking. Got my stuff last week and tried following along with your Santa carving needless to say not to pretty. But it the first of many attempts to follow. Thanks again

Not being taught any of this growing up does make small things, like sharpening a knife, intimidating. Thanks for the insight!

I love the Shirt! TheCrafsMan! It makes me happy to see my favorite youtube channels like each other. It is good to hear someone say that you only need to strop to maintain sharpness. There are so many videos that show how to sharpen blades but do not mention this! Thank you Doug!

I’ve been watching and learning from you for a couple of months now. I wondered if others felt, as I do, that the sharpening of the blade is as relaxing as creating something from it and wood. When you said that it felt that way to you, I knew that at least one person found that peace that came from stropping their blade. I must be doing something right. Thank you Doug, for all that you do to teach us and help us realize what a wonderful pastime this world of “whittling” can be. I’m a 63 year old woman and personally, I would probably not have tried, if it hadn’t been for you. ✌🏻🤍🤞

As I watch the videos of wood carving with Doug , I'm reminded of the great Bob Ross on Sunday mornings painting (dab the brush) he would say; with his calm voice. Thank you Doug. I'm looking for tools now... haha

I love your quiet, soothing, little “alright?” statement you make every so often. You’re a great, patient teacher Doug!

"We don't have to be animals; we can put some oil on it." I laughed way too much at this. Thank you for posting. The craft stores I frequent will sell me knives and basswood blocks, but no strop.

The Crafsman sent me here, just as I was sharpening my chisels too! Really great video, thanks for sharing your knowledge.

I made one a while back, i use it before and after every carving and my blade is alwars razor sharp, thanks Doug.

Great video! So many carvers ask about sharpening knives. I'll certainly point them to this video. The only things I do differently, is shape a handle at the back of the strop for holding when necessary. And I use the smooth side of the leather, and rough it with a belt sander - that gives it enough roughness to hold the compound, but seems to allow more surface contact with the blade.

This is Christmas Day and I got all I needed to start my first carving. I just happened to watch one of your RU-vid videos a few months ago and got hooked watching them. Had to come back to the stropping to care for my new knife set. Thanks for the new hobby.

Doug, I’m 76, and I’ve learned more about using a strop in the last 10 minutes than all the other years total. So, thank you very much.

I cannot thank you enough for what you have done. I have binge watched almost half of your videos and I am smarter in the ways of wood carving than I ever thought possible. I wish computers, the internet, and you had been around fifty-five years ago.

Thanks Doug! I just made my very first strop ever! Thanks for the inspiration and thanks for keeping it simple. I've always wanted to sit at a campfire and make an old man face out of a nearby stick...

I just bought palm v gouges and other shaped chisels as my second purchase in my wood carving. I’m sooo hooked on this stuff dude thanks to you!😂🙌🇬🇧

I own a custom leather shop and sharp knives are absolutely important to my work. If you strop frequently you will never again have to use a whet stone unless you somehow nick or damage your knife. My leather cutting knives haven't touched a stone in years, but they are scary-sharp because I strop them every day. Thanks for your videos, Doug.

I want to thank you for all the time and effort you put into your videos I really get a lot of knowledge out of them... My name is clay from northern Maine

Thank you Doug you are amazing teacher. nobody's ever taught me that. I just bought me a helvie knife. Thank you for everything you do for us. you are amazing.

DOUG, THATS ANOTHER EXCELLENT VIDEO, I MADE TWO STROPS LIKE YOU SHOWED US THEY WORK PERFECT. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK !!! GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY !!

My favorite thing about this video is The Crafsman TShirt! Keep on Steady Craftin and stroppin!

Who knows better how to sharpen tools than a carver himself, right? 👍 This is the best video about sharpening knives and chisels I've ever seen. Thank you, sir. 😊

Sharpening has been a scary thing for me with my knifes, glad to see you give this tutorial. Thanks Doug!

I started carving with no experience and not bothering with RU-vid. Watching your videos now helps me lots but also shows me that I'm likely right where I should be at this stage in terms of tools and skills. Thanks for sharing your skills with the world.

This is the video that guided me to this channel, Doug you are a legend & you alone have bought me to the world of carving, where I shall reside forever more...

Hay Doug, your a quality teacher, thanks for the hours and hours of instruction and enjoyment I’ve gotten as I’ve learned from you. My wood craft tool shops have profited greatly from my excitement of having those really really needed copy of your tools. Your really appreciated, not enough thank you’s can be sent your way, I’ll send one and you multiply em. Thanks Doug

I came here after seeing you on Joe’s videos. I really enjoy these carving videos and like how you explain things.

Good Morning Doug - As a young and wild child, my parents introduced me to the strop quite frequently. Just kidding. I use my strop frequently and the edge on my knives almost scares me with how sharp it is. This is useful information and I thank you for sharing it.

Hey Doug, just wanted to say you played a big part in getting my father and I into carving and I have started my own twitch channel focused on carving.

Cheers to breaking down the walls that prevent some people from starting. Yes, you CAN oil and fuss and have preferences and talk all day about the maximum amount of effort, but you can also get ANY piece of leather, glue it with anything that sticks, glue the leather to anything straight, put some compound on and go! The important thing is that you have a strop and you get whittling! Keep up the good work, Doug.

These videos are great for the absolute beginner, and I find your style of instruction so calming and really easy to follow.

You continue to be the one of many utube carvers that I go to first when wanting a new project. Thank you very much!

Thanks for sharing your knowledge Doug! Loving this series so far!

Great vid! I made myself a strop after watching your vid, using a 10" piece of flat pine from Home Depot and my old leather belt. Puts a razor edges on all my carving knives, including my edc Spyderco Sage 1. Love it.

This is a good series that applies to many other things that a non carver can get some good info too. Your doing a good thing here Doug, I like your keeping it simple for the folks that don't have all the equipment that might be on a tight budget.

Doug is #1

you're a gift to us beginners Doug...

Time honored wisdom: simple is better. Very well done. Thanks.

Even though I don’t carve, my week is complete now that Doug is teaching us. You’re the best, Doug.

Getting into spoon carving I´ve realised that the first essential is to learn how to keep a blade sharp, this video was very helpful indeed, thank you .

Quality video, I have always used stones then strop off the bur because thats how i was taught, but this gives a new meaning to stropping your blade. I look forward to making a few of my own and trying it out.

THANKS FOR THIS LESSON!!! l have been needing, for a very long time, someone to show me how to sharpen me knives and gouges. I have even given up carving because I could not get my tools sharp again. I can't wait to get started sharpening blades!

Most helpful stropping video I’ve seen. So many thanks.

You've inspired me to try carving. I've been watching this series and putting tools into my Amazon wish list (so hubby and my sons have ideas for Christmas gifts). Looking forward to your next video about wood choices. Thank you, Doug!

A wholehearted thank you! The other RU-vid carvers are great, but with you I can relate so much more.

Hiya Doug, I'm a sculptor that's just getting into wood carving. I really appreciate what you do on your channel. Thanks very much. Mark

Doug, thank you for your very clear and concise explanations and demonstrations. I have used stropping as my go-to and exclusive method of reviving dull edges on many of my edge tools. Keep up the good work and great videos!! 😊

Thank you for this video. I was intimidated by the process but I am glad to know the entire process now.

Just sharpened my knife Now I don't have a belt

These videos are just great! Something that is so needed and you have a way of showing and explaining that makes total sense! Thanks.

Great video! I made several of these of different sizes a few years back. Maybe the best damn things I ever made. I tend to use the longer ones 18 and 24 inch the most. Carved a handle in the end of each one and use them more like a file. I like to put whatever it is that I'm stropping in a soft jaw vise and go at it. I find that the longer strokes and added speed with control really brings a fine, fast result. I do all of my kitchen knives, pocket knives, axes, scissors, plane irons, chisels etc. with these things. WOW! If you think you know sharp, give these a try. They take it to another level and leave a mirror polish which resists rust and looks amazing too. I also find that stropped edges last longer and are more durable. I have at least one each for white, red, and green compound. White then red and finish with green. Once you have it polished in well, you should only need to use the green. Two highly enthusiastic thumbs up for leather strops.

Thanks Doug for all the effort you put in to sharing your knowledge and passion for wood carving, it’s inspirational.

Again you are showing me what is needed. I don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on electric generators and sand papers to have fun. Enjoy life and keep moving forward. Thanks!

Thanks for all your videos I am 70 and i love they way you carve and show how it's done. again thanks Curtis L Kvaas

Hey, thanks for your videos! found you yesterday, and already half way through my first carving (bunny I watched you do). Thought my knife was sharp, NOT! :) So, here i am!

Thank you so much, I've been carving for a while but I'm not great at sharpening my tools and you showd me a great way to do it! My knife is sharp now! Thanks again,God bless you

I'm digging this series. Thanks Doug for sharing your expertise.

great vid Doug and going to be a real learning series thanks for keeping us interested in class,take care

Wow! So no-nonsense! So comprehensive! No fluff! All logic and Common Sense! Thank you Sensei Doug!😃

I'm a beginner just purchased a few knives and really hope I can grasp the concept of carving because I really need this I'm retired and this would be a enjoyable hobby thanks for sharing this with us Doug willing and waiting for your next video

Love your videos Doug! Very relaxed and easy to follow!

Thanks Doug... From across the pond, been watching for a few months now.. you make things very easy to understand. Keep the videos coming you’re doing a great job.👍🏻

Good stuff, Doug. I was just having a conversation with a friend, yesterday, we were talking about this series you're doing (after I'd sent him a link to eyeball it), and we were talking about strop use. Great timing for this video!!

Thanks for simplifying things! I had been watching other videos on stroping, sharpening, and making strops and your's is by far the easiest and most informative. It's great to see that just stroping with compound will keep my knife sharp and I don't have to invest in diamond sharpening stones, etc, or even buy a pre-made strop. (BTW - The bird house in the background is awesome!)

Thanks Doug, the first person to teach me all about stropping, I never know the 'mechanics of it...your series of videos has me very intrigued, I can't wait till the next video!

Thanks Doug. I learned a lot today. Always love your videos, you have a great way of teaching.

I'm a leather craftsman and I use snap-off blades with my xacto knife. I never used to strop and I would go through a fair amount of blades since I work with veg tan leather, which is harder on a knife than chrome tan... but ever since I started stropping my blade, it lasts me a lot longer. So yes, it works!

Doug...this is so well worth it..... these lessons are just superb... thank you from a new beginner

Hi Doug, a very clear instruction. Thanks for your inspiration 🙏

This is important for any person who cooks. Love this. Thanks Doug😁

Doug, The Strop video was very helpful. Thank you.

just started out carving finding these vids great thank you

The wealth of knowledge you provide is so valuable. Thank you.

Thanks, Doug. I'm really enjoying this series!

The best explanation of stropping I've come across. Thanks.

Thank-you Doug. Awesome video on stropping.

You are so good at this! I am so happy you decided to do this series. I, too, am inspired to pick up a carving knife again after being away for way too many years. You are a treasure. Cheers and blessings ^_^

I 'm sooo happy you took this direction with your desires and skills. I also like that you share those skills not only with woodcarving but apply it to life experiences for all of us to share. People who share their knowledge move and advance mankind are very special and hard to come by. Thanks

Great insight as always Doug. Love your channel. Keep up the great work.

Thank you, Doug! This is exactly the video I was looking for, and it helps a lot to sharpen my knife and start carving.

Thanks for the great video. It is encouraging to see that you can keep your blades sharp this simple way.

Hey Doug! You and The CrafsMan are my top favorites. Love the shirt! Thanks for another great video🤠

I was feeling intimidated about stropping my first knife, but you're calm energy paired with your knowledge helped me feel at ease about the whole thing. Thanks Doug!

Another great video! You ARE the go to man for carving and carving related knowledge in my view. I just finished carving the full length Santa last night which was an absolute joy. I had bought some sharpening stones that I could not get on with and was looking at how others (you) get such a good blade....and here pops up another great video from you! Thanks Doug, keep them coming 👍

Thank you Doug I am very new to the world of carving and so far your videos are very helpful. Thanks!!

Really nice series Doug! Wish u all the best and thank you for doing what you do. 👍🏻

Awesome advice Doug. That's the way my grandfather and Dad used to sharpen knives. And this is the way I always sharpen my knives.

Great lesson, don’t think the average person knows that stroping is so effective including me. You have me rethinking my sharping routine mostly for knives. I have a flexcut kit for future projects when I retire soon, have all the other sharping stuff u showed also. Looking forward to the rest if this series.

Just getting started in wood carving. I have made many longbows out of yew and osage orange. I live in BC, and have access to pine, alder, yew and western red cedar. Driftwood abounds, plus picking from the firewood shed haha! Thanks for your channel, I am learning a lot!

Love it. I made my strop after watching your last video of how to make one. Now I am making one for a christmas present. Never realized how easy they are to make.

You are honestly my favorite person on the internet.

Thanks Doug, I always look forward for your videos.

Doug, this series your doing is going to help so many people starting wood carving & or already carves. Thank you for another great tutorial 👊

Thanks Doug , always enjoy the videos!

I love Doug and theCrafsman!

Thanks a lot for this video!

Hi Doug...I've made a strop, added the 'green', and have had an interesting time sharpening some of my knives and chisels. The strop works wonderfully. I wear a gold band wedding ring. It's been looking a little banged up (after 14 years). I stropped it. It shines brighter than new!!! My favorite kitchen knives are next. Cheers from San Diego. Love your channel!

Glad I found ya! Really enjoy the videos. I knew stropping was an important last step in sharpening but didn’t know that you could practically eliminate the stones by using a strop! Goes to show....never too old to learn somethin’ new. Thanks!

Awesome tips Doug, thank you