Whilst most edge tools benefit from honing, which is the only way to get a razor-sharp edge, the case for honing carving tools is stronger than most.  The Tormek system, described elsewhere on this site provides a perfect combination of sharpening and honing functions, but for those who do not wish to make that investment or who may have a limited number of tools to sharpen, the Powerstrop and Slipstrop products shown below may represent adequate alternatives.  We also offer our very own hand strops - see below.

When sharpening knives and other edge tools such as carving gouges, it is inevitable that a small burr and-or wire edge will be thrown up on the edge of the tool.  The way to remove such a burr is with a leather hone.  Unfortunately it has become harder and harder over the years to get hold of hones, despite the fact that your granddad wouldn't have dreamt of shaving until he had stropped his razor a few times on the leather strap (or was that my granddad?)?)  The overall message is clear: if you want a sharp edge, then however good your sharpening techniques you need to finish off by stropping.

After much searching, we have managed to source two alternative forms of strop, both of real leather and both mounted on support boards.  The 1215-P is a simple flat strop, approx. 210 x 50 mm, mounted on a stout wooden backing board that is pre-drilled so that it can be screwed to a convenient place on the bench or sharpening table: it could even be mounted on a wall provided it can be easily reached.  This is probably the best product to use on knives and other reasonable straight-edged tools.

The 1210-P is designed for more complex shapes such as carving tools, though it too features a large flat surface suitable for straight-edged tools.  This hone has a working area of approx. 235 x 80 mm and has one edge finished with a smooth curve of around 10 mm diameter and the other brought to a 45 degree vee angle suitable for honing the internal surfaces of vee tools.  The tools incorporates a handle, making it easier to manipulate when honing shaped tools.

We use these strops without any form of dressing, in the traditional manner.  You can't beat raw, well-tanned leather!

Two products with one name and a common purpose - Powerstrop - designed to make honing of carving and other edge tools simplicity itself.  Provided that you have a convenient source of power - such as a lathe, power drill or powered arbor - on which the honing wheels can be mounted, this tool will make honing a fine edge on your tools simplicity itself.  Note though that the wheel MUST be arranged ONLY so that the wheel is moving away from the cutting edge of the tool being honed.

The distinction between the two kits is that the PWS10 is the standard kit which contains a single real leather honing wheel with a flat edge surface, square to the sides of the disc,  This is ideal for honing the outside of curved gouges, skew chisels and for  tools such as whittling and carving knives.  I use this wheel to keep my pocket knife in tip-top, razor-sharp shape.  The inside of larger- radius gouges can also be honed on the "corners" of this wheel.  The second kit, the PWS20 DeLuxe kit contains an additional vee-shaped leather honing wheel (inverted vee to be precise) which is ideal for honing the inside of vee tools and other hard-to-reach areas.

Both kits also include arbors for the wheels (2 in the case of the PWS20 DeLuxe kit), a bar of honing compound and installation and operating instructions.  The genuine leather wheels can be easily re-shaped, if required, to suit special purposes.

The Slipstrop system, from Flexcut is an economical way of maintaining a fine edge on carving tools.  A razor sharp edge can be achieved and maintained using the specially-moulded honing block, with its multiple blade-matching profiles, combined with the unique Flexcut Gold honing compound.  Both the inside and outside of carving gouges and similar tools can be honed on this system, which utilises that most economic and controllable power source - your hands.  Eminently portable and flexible, this set should be in the carver's travelling toolkit even if "home comforts" include a power honing system.

Additional supplies of the unique Flexcut honing compound are available once the small bar supplied with the kit is used up, with the Flexcut Gold bar which is specially formulated to be appied to the SlipStrop like a crayon.  Quick, clean and easy.