Thread: Correct stropping.

When you strop do you rest the spine and the edge on the strop or do you just keep the spine just off thr strop and just have the cutting edge in contact? I watched a couple videos and cant really tell :/

spine and edge both on the strop, lifting the spine will quickly roll the edge

Eekk good thing have only stropped a couple times! Thank you

ALso, use the closest thing to no pressure that you can manage while keeping the blade flat - both spine and edge - on the strop. Think polishing, not grinding.


rs,
Tack

I've been straight razor shaving for about 5-6 months I think. I started learning to hone and strop at the same time. So, I have basically no real experience. I couldn't get the hang of using a hanging strop so I just use flat bench strops. What the other guys said is what I've been told ever since I started. Edge and spine on teh strop (or hone for that matter). This maintains the correct angle on the edge. There isn't a free hand knife sharpener in the world that can maintain a consistant angle like you can when having the edge and the spine both on the strop. I did have a problem learning to keep the spine AND the edge on the strop during a stroke while also using only the weight of the razor on the strop. This is because I'm new to this I'm sure. No matter the reason. I was not doing as good a job as I thought needed to be done. A few days ago I accidentally found a way to keep the edge and the spine on the strop that is much easier. Instead of having the handle in a straight line with the blade I folded the handle a tiny bit toward the closing direction. I also don't HOLD the razor as much as I just let the handle rest on my fingers. I found when the handle is folded a little bit the balance is just right to keep the edge and spine on the strop while I just let the handle rest on my fingers. I assume different razors will differ in where to have the handle to distribute the weight the best. If you want to try this and see if it helps keep the edge and spine on the strop while also using as little pressure as possible. The SMALLEST AMOUNT OF PRESSURE can't be emphasized enough. Actually, it's one of the main keys in sharpening about any edged tool.

As I said I'm new to this so my discovery may or may not be the best way. This is just where I am right now. I have tons to still learn. I will brag a bit and say I got very skilled at using the styptic pencil. Lots of practice.

Jack

I would add that just like with honing, you can hold your thumb and forefinger on the sides of the tang (the same way you probably would to shave). That helps me keep the blade level.

Originally Posted by Tack

ALso, use the closest thing to no pressure that you can manage while keeping the blade flat - both spine and edge - on the strop. Think polishing, not grinding.


rs,
Tack

That statement alone puts it all into the proper perspective IMO.

Frank

I have made some pretty drastic mistakes while stropping like lifting the spine by accident or having the blade tilted and not flat across the strop and when I do these things I freak out because I don't want to roll or ruin the edge. To my surprise I never have. I am not suggesting anyone do these things or that it can't roll or ruin an edge. I am sure that it can and will and I do my best to avoid these situations but I wonder about these things.

there have been times where I have lifted the spine off the strop, sometimes it didn't hurt the edge at all and sometimes I actually needed to re-hone it. I guess it all depends on the razor and the amount of pressure your put on the strop

Originally Posted by nwashaving

Eekk good thing have only stropped a couple times! Thank you

It is likely too late and your razor would need to be rehoned. The edge is very delicate.
You will know the next time you try to shave.