Reddit reviews Flexcut PW14 Knife Strop, with 1 Ounce Bar of Flexcut Gold Polishing Compound, 8 X 2 Inch Leather Surface
We found 5 Reddit comments about Flexcut PW14 Knife Strop, with 1 Ounce Bar of Flexcut Gold Polishing Compound, 8 X 2 Inch Leather Surface. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
8 by 2 inch flat leather stropping surface designed to keep edges razor-sharpCan be clamped to a work table or hand heldIncludes a 1 ounce bar of Flexcut Gold Polishing CompoundKeeping tools sharp is the simplest and easiest way to improve your carvingMade in the USA
Hi, I am also a total beginner but got some advice from a local woodcraft store. You want to strop the knife every 20 minutes or so with a strop and a compound. This one below is the one I use. You apply the compound and then take the blade at a 15 degree angle bringing it back to you. Instructions come with the strop.
https://www.amazon.com/Flexcut-Stropping-Polishing-Compound-Included/dp/B00FFJ9TLW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1510445447&sr=8-3&keywords=flexcut+strop
The strain definitely might be coming from a dull knife. If the knife is very sharp, it will cut nicely without tremendous effor. Basswood is also a good wood to start with if you want an easy to cut wood.
This guy's video was very helpful as well. He went over cuts etc...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB3USnPADvQ&t=38s
Make a strop with leather and purchase some polishing compound; if you don't want to make one, Flexcut makes a nice strop for 15$, polish included. This is the proper tool for keeping a wood carving knife in tune; when the edge gets really dull, use the stone. Your knife is much easier to keep very sharp if you strop it regularly. You will also need a 4K or 6K grit waterstone, for more aggressive sharpening. You can get a decent 6000 grit waterstone on Amazon for 25$. The combo of both these items are quite compact, cost under 50$ even if you buy everything, and weighs about 2lbs.
edit: links:
https://www.amazon.com/King-800-4000-Combination-Waterstone/dp/B000248XEY/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1482350969&sr=8-5&keywords=4000+grit+stone
https://www.amazon.com/Flexcut-PW12-SlipStrop/dp/B00FX9MHIG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1482351305&sr=8-2&keywords=flexcut+strop
The slip strop is great for if you later get other types of tools, but you can also use just a regular strop for a bit less.
https://www.amazon.com/Flexcut-Knife-Strop/dp/B00FFJ9TLW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482351401&sr=8-1&keywords=flexcut+strop
I'll just buy one, because all my belts are cloth and I don't want to buy a belt to make one. Do you think I should buy this one or this one. I've never used a strop before, so I don't know if the slipstrop is for knives too or just Palm tools.
In order of purchase, here's where I started:
BeaverCraft Carving knife
Strop
Detail knives
Flexcut Cutting knife
Flexcut Detail knife
Mora 106 carving knife (upgrade from the beavercraft)
Looking for some advice on how to sharpen these properly please.
I purchased these as an "upgrade" last year to my kitchen knives - http://www.argos.co.uk/product/1704415.
Since then I've found they are beyond terrible at cutting to the point where I have to almost saw through an onion with them.
I don't know whether it's my technique or I'm not sharpening for long enough but any advice would be more than welcome.
I've used two Bearmoo stones (4 Grit levels 240/800/3000/8000)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/BearMoo-Sharpening-Combination-Waterstone-Sharpener/dp/B01IHOOZ4M/ref=pd_sim_201_6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=44B554T9ZNQTWYNMMWVC
And then tried to finish it with this leather strop. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00FFJ9TLW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I also purchased a honing steel which seemed to put more of an edge (Or straighten it up as I've since learned) than all my efforts at sharpening did!