Thread: Edge still stroppable after 4 layers of tape?

I have stropped a razor that had four layers of tape on it for the final hone. I was experimenting with bevels. I did one layer at 1000 grit, two layers 4000, three at 8000, and four at 12000. I removed tape and stropped. Did it work? Yes. Was it worth it? NO. But I had a fun evening of experimentation.

I think the softness and texture of the leather combined the the slop of a hanging strop allow for stropping all the way to the edge.

Charlie

reading the later comments made me revisit the razor with a mind to strop it to shave sharp.
As I left the razor with only a 4 passes over a stiff horse strop, I decided to give it 40 more to see the effect. It did shave but really needed smoothing. I gave the razor 40 over a plain waxed linen then 60 over the same horse leather. Shave was more than adequate for a rushed hone job. No pulling, or irritation post shave. I would say that the edge improved by quite some way and if the honing was carried to the full extent I feel the edge would have been excellent. My test was carried out originally to test a theory not to produce a very sharp razor. I think my first outcome answered this and if I had carried the honing out with the idea of shaving with it, then I think that the resulting edge would have matched any made without tape.
I realise that an argument with detailed conclusions to the points of contact and I do not disagree to the logic of this theory. You have to remember though, this is a craft of the hand and with malleable materials resulting in outcome that differs from from rigid science approach. If it was a process so rigidly defined then we wouldn't need to test at any stage of the razors preparation

PuFF