Clean Leather Strop?

[sbbarnett]

Greetings - just found this place - great resource.

I've had my Tormek for about 1/2 year, and used it about once/week on chisels, jointer and planer blades and knives.  I've now got a build-up of black polishing compound residue on the leather strop.  It flakes off as I'm working and makes a mess.  Should I be concerned about this?  Is it okay to clean the strop to cut down on the residue, and if so, how?

Thanks very much!

[Jeff Farris]

The only thing negative about the build up is the minor mess it creates.  There is no functional reason to do anything to remove this.  In fact, I don't think the wheel is as effective as it can be until you start noticing this.