Sharpening tip??

[comreno]

Hello;
Was having trouble getting my knife sharp when I used my strop.
Just didn't seem to come out right.
Finally figured out I wasn't using enough of the stropping compound.
What a difference once you get it right.
Thought I'd through this out in case someone else is having problems.
Thanks to you all for all your help.
Larry

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

I agree Larry, some guys I carve with use their strops black, I add compound often. I guess what ever works, but I am with you.

Dave

[carvingbarn]

When I was starting I had a problem with the strop. I would role the blade over as I came the the end of the strop rather than picking the blade up off the strop then turning it over. When I did it would dull the edge I was trying to get.

[Robson Valley]

I have to clean and recharge my strop quite often = I need to see the "black track" of metal to figure out what I'm doing by seeing the tell-tale streak.

[RWitzke]

How do you clean a strop?

[Robson Valley]

I have 6"(?) 8"(?) mill file, not a big one. I use the corner of a straight part of the long edge to scrape my strop with pull-strokes, maybe 5-10X. Not enough pressure to score the leather.
Recharge the strop with green-stuff.
I use a cheap brass bristle BBQ brush to clean the gunge out of the file.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

RW, you can also use the back of your knife to scrap the strop.

Dave

[Robson Valley]

GCH is right: it really doesn't matter what you use to clean the crud off the strop.
I do it not because I was taught to do it that way but instead, I really need to see that black streak of finely divided metal to comprehend my sharpening technique.
Whatever. I am not disappointed in the results.

[germancarver]

Hi,
since 5 Years i use the same Strop everytime without cleaning. With a little bit green hohning compound, i pull the Knifesedge approx. 10 times every Side over the Strop. Thats all.
For my opinion it goes very well and the Edge is razor sharp.
The Leather is 3/16 thick and not a soft Type. The compound is on the rough side.
From time to time i apply some green-stuff.

But every carver has his own experience, the only thing that counts is a razorsharp edge.

Greeting from Germany,
Thomas

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

most problems with a strop are "rolling" the edge of the knife instead of "lifting" at the end of the stroke...imo