https://www.faceedgewoodworking.com/

If you want to challenge a "myth", first you need to fully understand the question that is being asked. In a recent recommended video I saw a presenter try to point out that a strop is not as effective as a sharpening stone.

Sadly, the presenter doesn't know what a stop is used for. In my opinion they have reached a conclusion that could be confusing to others or make them think that a stop is not useful.

Firstly we can never compare the action of a stop to that of a stone. If we choose to use a strop it must be as fine or finer than the last sharpening stone we use. If it's not finer we will just make our edge dull.

A stop works very differently to a stone. When used properly, It adds just adds an extra touch of finesse to an edge. Or it can be used to refresh an edge when doing precise work.

It would be foolish to try and take an edge tool to failure and then bring it back to life on a strop. A strop is too fine for this purpose! If you have used a tool and it is not performing as it should you need to go back to the stones and finish on the strop.

I find the most effective strops as not really soft squidgy things smeared it Tormek paste. Rather they work better when firm. A clean block of scrap wood. Leather bonded to a scrap of wood. These are effective.

If you want to add a compound to your strop, go ahead. But chose wisely. If you use an 8000grit shapton or similar stone, the Tormek paste will be more coarse and make the edge worse! Tormek is more like 7000 grit. Instead, consider Autosol or Green honing wax sticks and use sparingly!

You'll notice that there is no affiliate links here. All I'm trying to do is make you aware that proven methods such as the strop must not be casually dismissed by those that don't even understand how to test how effective a strop is!