Spoon carving edge tools need to be sharp.
To be quite honest I am relatively new to using this type of stropping system.
I have always used a bit of end grain to sort out my foil edge after sharpening, or perhaps a leather belt with a para-cord loop at each end held taut between foot and left hand.
Sean Hellman introduced me to stropping compound and leather/linen backed boards back in the summer.
At first I was sceptical, but I wouldn't be without it now for studio use.
Sean is currently making these paddle strops at his workshop.
There are three different stropping surfaces to chooses from.
Sean includes a good lump of compound with the stropping set.
Sean includes a good lump of compound with the stropping set.
Simply run the compound block up and down the side you wish to use.
It's much like a crayon.
You need to sharpen your knife using your water stone, as normal.
Sharpen to as good a standard as you can manage.
Then simply run the blade, bevel as flat as possible, up the strop.
With the spine of the knife leading the way.
You don't need a lot of pressure, a light touch will get the job done...
Reverse the blade and come back down the strop with the spine leading the way...
Paddle strops £23.50 postage included UK only.
Outside UK add on £3 for postage.
Sean makes these strops from wood turned on the pole lathe.
There are three stropping sides, each covered with a different material , veg tan leather, suede and cotton canvas.
These are used in conjunction with a polishing compound such as the pink compound below.
The suede leather side has a bit more give in it and is great for axes and gouges.
Outside UK add on £3 for postage
If you want a complete set that you can use on your hooks as well, then why not consider the
Strop and slip set.
£32 plus £4.50 UK postage.
Outside UK £6 postage.
The complete stropping solution
Consists of :-4 sided strop, with leather, suede , bare wood and canvas.
A round leather strop for hook tools.
Pink polishing compound for the strops, about 150 grams.
4 flat and 4 round slips for hook tools. 1 of each 150, 320, 600, and 1000 grit silicon carbide paper.
Stropping leaflet, how to use and maintain the strop and slip set
All this for only £32 plus £4.50 UK postage. Outside UK £6 postage.
To order any of these items you can contact Sean Hellman at...
info.seanhellman.com
Happy stropping.
J.