Thread: Strokes on Strop

Razorfeld,

Yes, I have found that this method really makes a difference in the way the edge comes out, at least for me, any way. Also, it does take a bit getting used to the method, but the old time barbers knew what they were talking about.

Originally Posted by Obie

Gentlemen,

Some years ago, when new at straight razor shaving and stropping, I met an old time barber whose stropping technique I found unusual. He stropped holding the blade at a medium angle with the point leading on the up-stroke and the heel on the down stroke. Not only that, but he used only about seven to eight inches of length on the strop, manipulating the razor between thumb and index finger while keeping the wrist almost locked. He gave an explanation of why he found this method optimal, but I don't remember it.

Obie, I think this is not uncommon. I've seen a video of almost identical technique.
Pretty sure it was of Joe Potoczky from Ed Vogel's sharpening & repair store.

Oz,

I would love to see that video. Do you have a link to it? This method of stropping, aside from finding it beneficial for me, also intrigues me for some reason. I would have liked meeting the person or persons who developed it. I suppose things like that are more likely to develop over time. Either way, it's a great way to strop.

Sorry Obie. Never seen it on the net but it was on a DVD that Phillip Krumholtz used to sell on eBay.
The video was made by Joe's family IIRC who are still involved with the company. Maybe some people worth interviewing ?
Laville Barber Supply & Ed Vogel Company - About Us

Thank you, Oz. Yes, it has an interview potential.

Originally Posted by SilverBuddha

So ? for you carl does the Shapton 16K extend the times between honing much? Or am i better to get a Norton 4/8 first or get a shapton 16K and send the blade off to OZ for awhile before getting into the honing. Although from what i have read and watched honing sounds only a bit different from sharpening a Chef knife i.e. correct angle, light pressure steady stroke (i am used to sharpening my chefs knives for work). What I'm looking for is a steady progression. what would you do??? I know already that i will end up doing the lot am just looking for the place to start? And a few on this thread have mentioned the 16K shapton.

Very sorry for not replying to this, I got sidetracked, very amiss of me!

I guess one needs to define 'honing'. What do we mean by 'honing'? If we mean going all the way back to setting a bevel on a 1K and then progressions upwards I find that it's extremely rare for me to do this. Really, I do this once, and from then only if I'm bored or want to practice honing. If we mean honing is 'introducing the razor to the hone' then using the Shapton 16k for even 10 strokes IS honing.

Really, with the Shapton 16k we're touching up the edge, like using a barber's hone. For me, this needs to be done quite rarely too. I, though, have quite a light beard growth.

I'd highly recommend a Shapton 16k or similar, once you have a shave ready razor and given good stropping I feel it's all you need to maintain an edge and it's a great finisher for when you do need to revert to something like the Norton 4/8.

Major, it depends on the razor and the grind. Just make sure the spine is on the strop. If you lift with a hollow ground razor you will hear more noise as the razor vibrates because the spine is not grounded. If you hear something different, you may have just convexed the bevel or rolled the edge on one side.

A quick check with a loupe will tell you, (one of the benefits of a lighted loupe). If the edge is not chipped or bent badly a few extra laps may straighten it out or break it off.

You will have to learn the sounds your razors make, it is when you hear something completely different, that should alarm you. Some linen on a hollow ground sounds like a chainsaw.

Keep the spine on the strop, slow down and you will be ok.

25/50 before, 25/50 after