Fine Woodworking

Member-Only

Sign in or become a member to access this story

Sharpening: Stropping Blades

How to give a freshly sharpened blade a final touch. Part six of this 8-part series answering your questions about sharpening.

By Bob Van Dyke #198–May/June 2008 Issue

Start your 14-day FREE trial to watch this video

Plus, access more than 500 video workshop episodes when you become a member

Start Your Free Trial

David Heim and Michael Dobsevage

Bob Van Dkye

The founder and director of the Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking answers questions from readers about keeping hand-tool blades sharp–with demonstrations and explanations of time-saving techniques.

Question: Should I strop a chisel or gouge after I’ve sharpened it?
‘Samson,’ via Knots

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest techniques and how-to from Fine Woodworking, plus special offers.

Videos in the Series

Sharpening: The Scary Sharp Method

March 26, 2008

A lesson in an effective, inexpensive way to put an edge on chisels and plane irons, in part one of this 8-part series answering your questions about sharpening.
Sharpening: Curved Blade Edges

March 27, 2008

What you need to know to sharpen gouges, sweeps, and such, in part two of our 8-part series
Sharpening: Honing Guides

March 27, 2008

An argument for using a guide to achieve consistent results, in part three of our 8-part series
Burnishing a Gooseneck Scraper

March 27, 2008

Putting a burr on a curve is a matter of knowing where to stop.
Sharpening: Hollow Grind or Flat Grind?

March 28, 2008

The advantages and disadvantages of these types of grind, in part five of this 8-part series answering your questions about sharpening
Sharpening: Stropping Blades

March 28, 2008

How to give a freshly sharpened blade a final touch. Part six of this 8-part series answering your questions about sharpening.
Sharpening: Different Bevel Angles

March 28, 2008

Yes, but you need not be obsessed with precise bevel angles. Part seven of this 8-part series answering your questions about sharpening.
Sharpening: A2 vs. O1 Steel

March 28, 2008

The A2 steel has added chromium so it stays sharp longer. Part eight of this 8-part series answering your questions about sharpening.

X

X

Get It All!

UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month.

Subscribe to Fine Woodworking

Save up to 69%

Online Membership

About This Video Workshop

Bob Van Dkye The founder and director of the Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking answers questions from readers about keeping hand-tool blades sharp–with demonstrations and explanations of time-saving techniques. More about this Video Workshop

Log in or become a member to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Up Next

Featured Workshop

a diagram of a round Shaker stand and an image or a round Shaker stand

Shaker candle stand with Christian Beckvoort

He’s built dozens of round Shaker stands over four decades, so there is no one more qualified than Christian Becksvoort to demonstrate making this classic. In this seven-part video series,…

Featured Projects & Plans

Build a Contemporary Sideboard

Chris Gochnour's sideboard combines usefulness, strength, and beauty in a contemporary case piece

Related Stories

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

|
|
|
|
|
|

View More Create Post

Bevel-up Jack: Change the Angle of Attack

You can change the cutting angle of these hand tools to tackle a variety of planing tasks.
Spokeshave Fundamentals

Chairmaker Peter Galbert takes you through the different types of spokeshave, how to tune them, where to use each type, and which ones he likes best.
How to upholster a slip seat

Michael Mascelli demonstrates how to create a finished, professional-looking upholstered slip seat.
Kerf-bent wall cabinet

Philip Morley's small wall cabinet has sides that curve inward at the top, with an asymmetrical arrangement of drawers, door, and open shelves.

Highlights

Shape Your Skills

when you sign up for our emails

Plus tips, advice, and special offers from Fine Woodworking.

Sign Up
Shop Talk Live Podcast

Our biweekly podcast allows editors, authors, and special guests to answer your woodworking questions and connect with the online woodworking community.
Woodpeckers Shop Upgrade Giveaway

Enter now for your chance to win more than $2,000 worth of woodworking equipment from Woodpeckers. Click for full details.
Our favorite articles and videos

We have created these special content collections organized to give you a deep dive into a range of topics that matter.
Digital Plans Library

Browse our collection of 100+ complete digital plans, including Shaker furniture, Arts and Crafts pieces, beds, chairs, workbenches, tool storage, and more. Join now for complete access.

View All

View More

UNLIMITED membership - Get access to it all

Start Free Trial Upgrade Membership