stropping

[greyrider]

Could some one please explain the
stropping process and what materials
are needed to do this. If you have
purchased a good "factory sharpened"
knife, I assume you still need to strope it.
Is this correct?

Thank You

[pallin]

The stropping process gives a "feather edge" to your knife or gouges. Using a leather surface and fine abrasive, you slide the tool across the strop, moving away from the cutting edge. On most carving tools you strop on both side of the cutting edge. On curved gouges you may need a strop with a convex shape. Some carvers strop their tools on cardboard or other surfaces, but it needs to be something that hold the honing compound (or a material that has fine abrasives in it). On the microscopic level the process moves (and removes) some of the metal molecules to (and from) the cutting edge.

[greyrider]

Where would a "newbie" go to find stropping
materials and information?

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

www.littleshavers.com, www.thewoodcraftshop.com, Smoky Mountain Woodcarvers. There are other suppliers, also take a look on www.youtube.com , there are good videos on stropping, sharpening and carving. Hope this helps.

Dave

http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...snum=0&spell=1

[greyrider]

Thank You for your help and patience.

Greyrider

[soul_cade]

Originally Posted by pallin

Some carvers strop their tools on cardboard or other surfaces, but it needs to be something that hold the honing compound (or a material that has fine abrasives in it). On the microscopic level the process moves (and removes) some of the metal molecules to (and from) the cutting edge.

Hey Pallin, what other surfaces do you know of that you can strop on besides leather? Thanks

-Kenny

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Kenny, I use cardbaord with compound for my Dockyards.

Dave

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Here is another way Kenny, it is a hard rubber. - SMALL "WOOD IS GOOD" HONE STROP #207501

Dave