Strop question - cleaning?

[Kitbass]

Hi folks,

I am well bitten by the woodcarving bug now and I have done a few little projects that have been given as presents to family and friends. They seem to love them and I am getting asked to do more (which is great).
I wanted to know whether I should be cleaning my strop of the metal residue after I use it and if so what should I clean it with?
Any advice ould be greatly appreciated and I am sure you folks will have many other tips too

Thanks

Keith

[northwood bob]

I just use a steel scraper (or the side edge of a carpenters chisel) to clean the residue. I usually only do this when the build up seems to be a bit too much. Use the strop often or whenever you seem to be having to push on the chisel harder than normal. Also, don't forget to strop both sides of the cutting edge. A simple process but it will make things easier.

Bob

[Claude]

Some clean; some don't. I am one of the "don't" variety. I only apply more compound to the strop when it doesn't seem to work as well. Last time I added more compound was a couple of years ago.

Claude

[ten99j4]

Keith,
It's great to have the encouragement of family and friends. I am like you, I am fairly new to carving ( 1 1/2 to 2 years) and I get encouragement from my wife, parents and co-workers. It really make you feel good that others like your carving enough to want more.

As for the strop question, I searched for the same answer about a year ago. I found several people that do like Claude and very rarely change or add compound and then several that do it regularly.

What has worked for me, is that when the compound on the strop gets crumbly and flakes, I use a butter knife and lightly scrape it off and load it with fresh compound. Be careful not to tear up the leather itself though. I have a small strop that came with my beginner kit from Little Shavers and then a Flexcut strop that is made for v-tools and gouges with a flat leather strop on the back side.

Remember, stropping is something that is very crucial to good carving, by keeping your tools sharp.

Adam

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

I only clean if I get an uneven build up, I use the back of my knife to clean.

Dave

[Steve Reed]

Kitbass, I have used the same strop for about 25+ years and never "cleaned" it. In fact it is only recently that I've even heard of this. Just my opinion, others may differ.
Happy carving!

[Robson Valley]

I use the long corner of a 8" file to scrape off the buildup of gunk.
I need to see the fresh black track of metal to be certain of what I'm stropping.

[TreeWizard]

I used to clean mine occasionally, but since I switched to a powdered compound, cleaning isn't necessary. I now use my stick compound only on the buffing wheel.

[riverwood-dan]

I've been sharpening tools for over thirty years, plane irons ,bench chisels etc always used a strop. I never even thought of cleaning off the compound. It never occured to me, I guess I'm like Claude just add more when needed which isn't often. A cheap source for strops is your local thrift stores belt selection. most expensive strop I own cost me a buck and a half. Dan

[Mitchell]

I use sandpaper - but rarely.

Here's a link to a previous thread(s): cleaning strop