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Thread: Beginners' Tips: June 2014

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    There is no charge for Awesomeness Jimbo's Avatar
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    Default Beginners' Tips: June 2014

    Strops and Stropping

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    There’ve been a few threads recently on the topic of strops and stropping so I thought I’d address those issues in this month’s Beginners Tips. Stropping can be a big topic, and I am wordy, so apologies in advance for the length of this month’s tips.

    I imagine that everyone appreciates and understands the need for a good, well-honed straight razor when they first start out. After all, we understand the purpose – it’s going to shave us so it needs to be sharp and of a reasonable quality.

    Strops are a slightly different matter. Generally we know we need one, but its purpose is less well understood. We know for example that a strop will help keep the edge shave-ready. We are told that we should strop before each shave. But what exactly does a strop do, and how does it do it? This has been one of those ongoing debates here. Let me try to summarize my (slightly imperfect) understanding.


    • A strop realigns the edge. When we shave the edge deforms, bends, misaligns. Stropping lines everything back up.


    • A strop removes microscopic moisture. Under magnification, a razor’s edge is a series of teeth, like a saw. Tiny bits of moisture get trapped in these teeth and stropping helps remove this moisture, which in turn reduces rust, which in turn keeps the edge from degenerating as quickly.


    • Stropping is marginally abrasive. Water and wind created the Grand Canyon. Even non-abrasive things can cause abrasion. By stropping on plain leather there’s a teeny tiny amount of metal removal going on.


    Now not everyone will agree with those ideas, maybe. However, knowing they might apply can at least give you an understanding of the purpose of a strop, and I’ve found if I understand the purpose I can better appreciate the function.

    So, what does this mean for us? First, you need a strop and you need to use it at least before each shave. Plain, good quality leather is enough (though you can get things like canvas, linen, felt etc – these are another topic and I won’t say anything more about them here). Second, clearly the strop needs to be flat and free from major imperfections. Third, stropping is important so you need to devote as much if not more time to practicing it as you do to practicing shaving – the two go hand-in-hand.

    Finally, some tips on learning to strop. You’ve probably seen them before but I’m going to reiterate them here anyway.


    1. The razor lies flat on the strop – never lift the spine off the strop;
    2. Move the razor spine-first along the strop;
    3. Use a light pressure – let the razor sit on the strop, don’t force it down onto the strop;
    4. At the end of each stroke, change direction by keeping the spine on the strop and flipping the razor until the other side of the edge is lying flat on the strop. Practice rolling the shank between your fingers to achieve this;
    5. Keep the strop pulled taut at all times;
    6. Speed comes with time and practice. Do not try to go fast in the early stages.


    In my opinion one of the best guides to stropping are these videos by AFDavis11. If you haven’t already seen them do yourself a favour and take a look.

    Good luck, and may your all your strops be nick-free!

    James.
    Last edited by Jimbo; 06-13-2014 at 11:03 PM.
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    Razor Vulture sharptonn's Avatar
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    Well-said, Jimbo! Stropping is indeed key!
    Jimbo and Phrank like this.
    "Don't be stubborn. You are missing out".
    I rest my case.

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    Senior Member blabbermouth edhewitt's Avatar
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    Thanks jimbo, i found both afdavis' and your stropping videos useful. Oh and trust a mathematician to have a graph paper print bedding set.
    Jimbo, sharptonn and Cangooner like this.
    Bread and water can so easily become tea and toast

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    There is no charge for Awesomeness Jimbo's Avatar
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    Thanks Ed. Was my video the outdoor one near my pool? And yeah, I love that doona cover

    James.
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    Razor Vulture sharptonn's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jimbo View Post
    Thanks Ed. Was my video the outdoor one near my pool? And yeah, I love that doona cover

    James.
    Ya, I was thinkin you coulda lined the strops up with the stripes! Great tips, Jimbo!

    Bruce
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    "Don't be stubborn. You are missing out".
    I rest my case.

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    Senior Member blabbermouth Hirlau's Avatar
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    That's great info,,,but can a person strop an Ebay razor to shave ready on the underside of a catfish's belly??

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    Jimbo,
    The strops in your pics (this thread), what kind/type of leather are they?

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    Razor Vulture sharptonn's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hirlau View Post
    That's great info,,,but can a person strop an Ebay razor to shave ready on the underside of a catfish's belly??

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    The answer is YES.................., eventually
    Jimbo and edhewitt like this.
    "Don't be stubborn. You are missing out".
    I rest my case.

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    There is no charge for Awesomeness Jimbo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ozarkedger View Post
    Jimbo,
    The strops in your pics (this thread), what kind/type of leather are they?
    Those are a set of kangaroo leather strops I made ages ago. I had the photo on file and figured I wouldn't run into copyright issues with filching my own photo!

    James.
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    Senior Member Walterbowens's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hirlau View Post
    That's great info,,,but can a person strop an Ebay razor to shave ready on the underside of a catfish's belly??

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    ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
    We have no control of what other people do or say to us, but we have control to how we REACT !! GOD BLESS

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