As wood burns, it releases carbon and tar which can build up on any woodburning tip over time, and have a negative impact on the performance of your tips. Many other pyrography tool manufacturers recommend using abrasives, however this can wear away at the tips finish and material, ultimately resulting in an even quicker buildup of tar and carbon and wearing down your tip shape quite rapidly. Razertip offers the best, and stands behind the quality and durability of their products! Using a scraper cleaner or this dense brass bristle brush will remove carbon buildup just as quickly as any abrasive, while still being soft enough to avoid any damage to the underlying metal of the tip itself. This allows you to keep your tips sharp and smooth far longer, maintaining optimal performance and extending the life of your tools.