41 Years Old and Strop for the first time in my life

[speedy]

For years, I seen and heard mentions regarding stropping (is that the proper term?). Anyway, the point is for years as a kid and teenager I ruined a shit load of knives before I started to get good on the stone then messed with this and that. Now at 41 I just use the Sharp Maker for I am at a point in my life I want comfort and simplicity. However, a post in another forum person mentioned he hardly ever uses a sharpener and just keeps them them sharpen using a strop. He says he used a piece of wood and some leather.

For whatever reason I decided to finally research the concept/tool of strop. I found a youtube video of a guy using a piece of cardboard. Since I had that readily available I decided to test it. I grabbed 3 knives, tested the sharpness using a sheet of paper, then did the strop concept, and tested it again on the piece of paper.

I saw the difference and get it. However, got me thinking. If I got that kind of result using a piece of cardboard, what kind of results would I get with a "professional" made strop?

Thoughts?

Is this thing worth $28?

[ato]

I only use a strop for my straight razor. I have found denim and newspaper just as good as leather. For my knives, a steel works fine. For sharpening I've got a Naniwa 2000 grit, and a Norton 4000-8000 grit whet stones.

[speedy]

I stopped using stones due to not really being sure on the angle. I found the Spyderco Sharpmaker I am much more accurate on the sharpening process.

But thanks for the other tips, I am going to refrain from buying this and stick to using materials that are available around the house and so on.

[Canis Caelorum]

I've always just used stone and steel, or sometimes a diamond hone.

[speedy]

I went to a knife specialist. Not someone I 100% trust but he does know just about everything in terms of knives. When he went over everything with me, I don't see the need for this in the end. I am out on this one.