[Ron Davidson]

How many of you use a power strop and which would you recommend?
And where can it be purchased?
Ron

[Mitchell]

Ron, I use a Delta belt sander with a leather belt instead of the sand belt. The problem with the belt sander is that it turns counter-clockwise and makes keeping the tool angle a little tricky.

The "Ultimate Sharpener" is a nice option that is made specifically for knives and gouges. It turns in the clockwise direction and makes maintaining the tool angle a bit easier. I have used it and like it. It's advertised in WCI magazine.

There's other options. I can't remember the manufacturer, but "Power strop" is a small leather wheel that can be chucked in a drill and used to hone knives and gouges. I know of carvers that have made their own version that has a piece of leather on a large flat disk that chucks also. It's a nice version because you can lay the knife edge flat on the surface.

[bronco]

I converted my high speed grinder to a power strop. I use a
paper wheel on one side and a cloth wheel on the other.
The only drawback is it turns at 3300 rpm's so one has to
take precautions of overheating your tool. I am happy with
it since it cuts my stropping time down.
Bill

[MelNM]

Hi Ron I have the ultimate sharpener, I like it, it does and excellent job, I mainly use the leather belt on it to strop with, mainly because if it already has a good edge you shouldn't have to mess with it. I have used the other belts to get an edge on it, but you can get the blade hot pretty fast, so you still got to have some water handy to cool it off. I also have heard other folks on hearing talking about making them. They have other types for a lot more money. But overall I'm pretty pleased with mine.
Mel

[Marci MN]

Are you guys referring to the one advertised on the second page in this Spring Issue?

[Lightningbolt]

Ron;

I've been using the "Powerstrop" brand laminated leather sharpening wheels for many, many years and it has become essential for me. I get mine from:http://www.woodcarverssupply.com/store/
Just put the number 596010 into the site search engine and it'll come up.

I really like the "V" wheel which is a great for polishing up my parting tools and tight "U" gouge's. Just takes a second to put 'em in the drill press and I've instantly got myself a "less than fancy" sharpening machine that I'd be hard pressed to believe that a $300.00 machine could do much better!

I've been using a set of Powerstrops in our school woodshop for nearly a decade and they just don't seem to wear out.

[Blake Lunsford]

Dave,

Can you also attach these to a grinder? I definitely need some help with my sharpening. I just can't get a good edge on a knife by doing it by hand.

Thanks!
Blake

[Lightningbolt]

Originally Posted by vacaricature carver

Dave,

Can you also attach these to a grinder? I definitely need some help with my sharpening. I just can't get a good edge on a knife by doing it by hand.

Thanks!
Blake

I've only used them on a drill press but the same carving company mentioned above also sells a relatively inexpensive metal drill stand that you can clamp to a work bench then mount any small portable drill.

I would imagine that the Powerstrop might be too small for a standard grinder. My Powerstrop measures only 3 1/2" from one side to the other and it has a reccomended speed of 600-800 rpm which is easy to adjust on my drill press.

It seems like I've seen a sharpening device that resembles a a standard bench grinder but I can't remember where AND whether you could buy the leather wheels separately. As for me, I like the Powerstrop option since I already have a drill press, but I've also used it just fine in a small portable drill by just placing the drill in my bench vise.

I can keep most of my carving blades razor sharp with only the minimum maintenance of my beloved 900 grit "extra-fine" Arkansas stone (that's one expensive stone, by the way!) and a quick polishing with my Powerstrop. Most of the time the blade only needs the Powerstrop and I usually give them only what they need after approximately every 20 minutes of carving time per blade.

Good luck!

Bye the way I notice that you're from Abingdon which is close to Damascus and the Grayson Highlands, some of my favorite outdoor areas! I've done a LOT of moutain biking on the Virginia Creeper Trail and I always try to make it to Trail Day's in Damascus each May. Great country!!

[decoycarve]

Ron
I have a homemade system that I use. It has the pressed paper wheels and a set of koch wheels on it. Made it out of an old DC motor and can vary the speed. I slow it down for grinding and speed it up for polishing. I use the paper wheel then finish them in on the koch wheels.
Goody
PS how is everyone getting the bigger text for Rons posts I just tried to type it in word with a bigger font and when I pasteed it it went back to regular.

[Kenny_S]

Ron, I use a leather wheel on a old drill attached to my work bench with homemade straps. Works very well. I also have a V leather wheel for V tools.
But, seems I revert to my homemade hand stroops.