# Best Strops for Carving Knives, Hook Knives and Gouges Source: https://carvingbench.com/best/best-strop-for-carving-knives Publisher: Carving Bench. Picks are chosen from what each Amazon listing states, not from hands-on tests. Method: https://carvingbench.com/how-we-pick Routine upkeep of a carving edge is the strop with polishing compound, not the stone, so a strop is the sharpening purchase a carver uses most. The options differ in a few plain ways: the length and width of the leather, whether the listing names the leather, whether there are two working sides (smooth and rough, or leather and sandpaper), and how much compound comes in the box. A flat paddle suits a whittling knife or sloyd knife, where the whole bevel lies flat on the leather. Gouges, V-tools and hook knives need a shaped strop to reach the inside of the edge. This guide compares seven strops by what their listings state: flat paddles, a compact 8 inch strop, and shaped strops for gouges and spoon carving tools. Nothing was tested; where a listing leaves out the size or the leather type, the table says not stated. General strop theory for kitchen and pocket knives lives on our sister site, stoneandstrop.com. ## Picks ### 1. Bacher Leather Strop - 12.6 in, Knife Sharpening Kit, 4 Compounds & Balm Size: 12.6 in; Leather: Full-grain cowhide, 3 mm; Sides: Double-sided; Compound: 4 x 7 g plus balm A 12.6 inch double-sided strop of 3 mm full-grain cowhide, stated as hand-made in Poland, with four 7 g compounds from medium to ultra fine. The listing names whittling knives, gouges and V-tools. What the listing offers: - The leather is specified: full-grain cowhide left a full 3 mm (1/8 in) thick, paired with FSC beech. - Four 7 g compounds are included: Red 2000, White 5000, Green 8000 and Black 12000, plus a balm. - The listing names whittling and wood carving knives, gouges and V-tools among the tools it suits. Limits to know: - Each compound pot is small at 7 g; the listing puts one pot at roughly seven coats of one side. - Only the 12.6 in length is stated; the width of the stropping surface is not given. ### 2. BeaverCraft Leather Strop for Knife Sharpening - Double-Sided Knife Strop & Stropping Compound Kit - Honing Strop Block 14" for Woodcarving Tools, Chisel Knife Sharpening Kit Leather Sharpener LS6P1 Size: 14 in; Leather: not stated; Sides: Double-sided; Compound: Included A 14 inch double-sided paddle strop with an ashwood handle and polishing compound in the kit. A general strop for whittling knives and other woodcarving tools with flat bevels. What the listing offers: - The listing states a 14 inch strop block with two usable sides on an ashwood handle. - Polishing compound is included in the kit, so no separate compound is needed to start. - Comes with eBooks on how to sharpen a whittling knife and 5 steps to sharpen a hook knife. Limits to know: - The listing does not say what kind of leather is used or how the two sides differ. - The width of the leather and the amount of compound are not stated. ### 3. SHARPAL 205H Double-Sided Leather Strop 13.2" x 2.4" Kit Size: 13.2 x 2.4 in; Leather: Veg-tanned cowhide; Sides: Smooth + suede; Compound: 2 oz green A 13.2 x 2.4 inch paddle in vegetable-tanned cowhide with one smooth side and one suede side, plus 2 oz of green compound and a 4-angle guide. The most fully specified flat strop in this guide. What the listing offers: - Size, leather and compound are all stated: 13.2 x 2.4 in, vegetable-tanned genuine cowhide, 2 oz (57 g) green compound. - A smooth side and a suede side on a wood base with a shaped handle and a pre-drilled hanging hole. - A 4-angle sharpening guide is included alongside the compound. Limits to know: - A general knife strop: the listing text does not name wood carving tools, gouges or hook knives. - Flat surfaces only, so the inside of a gouge or hook knife needs a shaped strop. ### 4. BeaverCraft LS5P1 Wood Carving Strop Wood Carving Gouge Hook Knife Sharpening Honing Tools Strop Stropping Kit Leather Paddle Strop Spoon Carving Tools Sharpening Kit Sharpener with Polishing Compound Type: Leather + sandpaper strop; Grit: not stated; Sharpens: Gouges, hook knives; Size: not stated A paddle strop designed for spoon carving tools: the title names gouges and hook knives. One part is leather for polishing, the other holds sandpaper for light sharpening. A compound bar and two sandpaper sheets are included. What the listing offers: - Described as a special design for spoon carving tools, with gouges and hook knives named in the title. - Two working parts: a leather strop for polishing and a sandpaper strop for light sharpening. - The package includes a bar of polishing compound and two sheets of sandpaper. Limits to know: - No dimensions are stated, and the listing does not describe the shape or radius of the strop. - Leather type and sandpaper grit are not stated, and only two sandpaper sheets are included. ### 5. BeaverCraft Stropping Leather Strop for Knife Sharpening Strop LS2P1 - Knife Stropping Kit 3 x 8 IN - Knives Sharpener with Honing Strop Polishing Compound Set - Double Sided Size: 3 x 8 in; Leather: not stated; Sides: Smooth + rough; Compound: Included A compact 3 x 8 inch double-sided leather strop with polishing compound. The smooth side takes the compound and the rough side can be used without it. Sized to carry along when carving outdoors. What the listing offers: - Smooth side for use with polishing compound, rough side usable even without it, per the listing. - Polishing compound comes with the kit and is applied to the smooth side. - At 3 x 8 inches it is wide for its length and described as easy to take to the woods. Limits to know: - At 8 inches it gives a much shorter stroke than the 12 to 14 inch paddles in this guide. - The listing does not mention a handle, the leather type or the amount of compound. ### 6. Flexcut Wood Carving Tools | Dual-Sided Paddle Strop | Smooth and Rough Leather Sides | 1oz Bar of Flexcut Gold Polishing Compound Included | PW16 | Made in the U.S.A. Size: not stated; Leather: not stated; Sides: Smooth + rough; Compound: 1 oz Flexcut Gold A dual-sided paddle strop from Flexcut with a smooth and a rough leather side and a 1 ounce bar of Flexcut Gold polishing compound, stated as made in the USA. What the listing offers: - The title states a smooth leather side and a rough leather side on one paddle. - Includes a 1 ounce bar of Flexcut Gold polishing compound. - Stated as made in the USA and sold under the Flexcut Wood Carving Tools name. Limits to know: - The listing is inconsistent: the title describes a flat dual-sided paddle, while the bullets speak of profiles for V, sweep and U gouges. - No length, width or leather type is stated anywhere in the listing. ### 7. Wood Carving Sharpening Tool, 3-in-1 Multi Shape Contour Wood Carving Strop Size: not stated; Leather: not stated; Sides: Flat, arcs, V-grooves; Compound: Mentioned, qty unstated A shaped strop with flat surfaces, arcs of varying radii and V-grooves, meant for the inside of gouges and V-tools as well as flat bevels. The listing describes a fine polishing compound but gives no sizes. What the listing offers: - 3-in-1 design: flat surfaces, arcs of varying radii and V-grooves on one tool. - The listing says it reaches the inner corners of round chisels and V-shaped cutters. - A fine-grind polishing compound with a soft texture is described for use with the tool. Limits to know: - The listing never states what the strop is made of, its dimensions or the radii of the arcs. - Little-known brand, and the listing does not itemize the package contents or the amount of compound. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.