Thread: Which stroke is better when stropping

You will get more Draw from an X stroke because you are getting full coverage of the edge,which is exactally what you want.

I think most people have trouble NOT doing some sort of an X-stroke but it doesn't much matter as pixel said, as long as you are getting complete coverage of the edge. The fact that you feel more draw with less of the blade on the leather (with your X-stroke) makes me wonder if you are bearing down on it more as you concentrate upon pulling the blade sideways. If so, that's a no-no!


rs,
Tack

I do an x stroke when I strop regardless of the width of the strop. Not the 'right' way, not the wrong way, just my way.

I have a problem "over torquing" the edge return stroke if going "square" and not X-ing. The spine doesn't lose contact but it sounds different, and sounds diff-is diff. X fixes that.

I am doing medium and slow strokes with a little bit of pressure as I move the blade. I am not sure just yet how much pressure may be too much but I will try to change it up a little at a time to see if there is any difference.

Originally Posted by Rough

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I am not sure just yet how much pressure may be too much but I will try to change it up a little at a time to see if there is any difference.

Generally speaking, any pressure is too much. Yeah, yeah I know - literally zero pressure is impossible but "no pressure" here means just enough to keep the spine and bevel in contact with the strop. We're not grinding; we're burnishing the edge.


rs,
Tack

I've never really understood why the entire edge needs to hit the strop each lap. Leather strops are not abrasive, so it's not as though it needs to be systematic to ensure a homogenous edge or whatever.

I've got a narrow little travel strop (it retracts up into a metal case thing). It's maybe a tad over 1.5 inches wide. I have it hanging near my honing table downstairs and it's the first strop a freshly honed razor gets. I'll often do half the edge (heel to middle) for 30 laps and then the other half (middle to toe) for 30 laps. No issues have ever arisen.

Of course, it might not be as efficient as a windscreen wiper or X, but it is in no way less efficacious from what I can see.

Anyway, the point is there's always more than one way to skin a cat. You can get all the advice you want but in the end it is you, a piece of leather and a razor. You cannot hurt a razor with stropping (unless you lift the spine, or go the wrong way etc.) So try it all out and see what works best for you. After technique, I think good stropping is as much about ergonomics as anything else.

James.