MPOWER Strop Polishing Wax: How to Get a Mirror Edge

By Infinity Cutting Tools | Premium Woodworking Tools ... | Published: 2026-11-03

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how to use MPOWER Strop Polishing Wax on a leather strop to turn a sharp chisel or plane iron into a mirror edge. Step-by-step honing after sharpening.

Quick answer

Apply a thin, even coat of MPOWER Strop Polishing Wax to a flat leather strop, then pull the chisel or plane iron edge away from the cutting edge at a slightly higher angle than your sharpening bevel. Work through a few light passes per grit to refine the edge into a mirror finish.

Why strop after sharpening

Sharpening stones leave a fine burr and microscopic scratches along the edge. A strop with polishing wax removes that burr and polishes the bevel without removing more steel. This is the step that turns a working edge into a mirror edge, especially on chisels and plane irons where a clean, refined edge improves control and surface finish.

Skipping the strop leaves a weaker edge that dulls faster. Over-stropping or using too much wax can round the bevel, so the goal is light, controlled passes rather than heavy pressure.

Choosing and preparing your strop

Use a flat, rigid backing behind the leather so the strop does not compress unevenly. A hard, smooth leather surface works best for polishing; soft or sueded leather is better for heavy burr removal but can round a fine edge. MPOWER Strop Polishing Wax is designed as the final honing step, so apply it sparingly.

If you are new to stropping, practice on a less critical tool first. The angle and pressure matter more than the number of passes.

Step-by-step: stropping to a mirror edge

Apply a thin coat of wax: Rub a small amount of MPOWER Strop Polishing Wax evenly over the leather. A little goes a long way; the surface should look slightly hazy, not caked. Too much wax creates a gummy surface that prevents the edge from making clean contact.
Set the angle: Lay the bevel flat on the strop, then raise the back of the tool about 1–2 degrees. This slightly higher angle ensures the very edge contacts the leather without digging in. If you match the sharpening angle exactly, you may polish behind the edge and fail to remove the burr.
Pull away from the edge: Stroke the tool away from the cutting edge with light, even pressure. Do 5–10 passes on one side, then flip and repeat on the other side. Pushing into the edge can cut the leather and round the bevel; always pull away.
Check the burr: After a few passes, feel the edge lightly with your thumb (carefully, across the edge, not along it). The burr should diminish. If it persists, do a few more passes on the stone, then return to the strop. Stropping alone cannot remove a large burr; address it on the stone first.
Refine with lighter passes: Reduce pressure to almost nothing and make 10–15 alternating passes. This aligns the edge and brings up the mirror shine. Heavy pressure at this stage can round the bevel; let the wax and leather do the work.
Test and clean: Test the edge on end grain or paper. Wipe the tool clean and store the strop flat. Reapply wax only when the leather looks dry or glazed. Dirty strops contaminate the edge; keep the leather free of metal particles by wiping after use.

Product facts

MPOWER Strop Polishing Wax: MPOWER Strop Polishing Wax is a professional-grade stropping compound offered by Infinity Tools. It is formulated for the final honing step, so you can use it confidently after your finest stone.
MPOWER Strop Polishing Wax