Thread: Day 2

So, got a Wade & Butcher in great condition. First day I was nervous but did okay. Second day the process went smoother. I've got a question about stropping though. I know you're not supposed to strop slowly, but if I make the strokes fast but take my time changing direction will that affect anything? At least until I get the rhythm down? I just didn't know if the friction or heat of the blade moving rapidly on the leather was part of what helped align everything.

Take your time. Take your time to do it right and doing it faster will come as you become more confident in that you are doing it correctly. Fast strokes are not really necessary. It is the friction of the blade on the leather. Before you start stropping, briskly rub your palm on the strop back and forth to warm up your strop and for some of the oils on your palm to get on your strop. There are many videos that also tell you this. Allocate enough time that you do not feel rushed to finish your shave. Relax. This is your Zen time. Ommm, Ommm.


Mike

Forget rapid stropping,go slow, were did you get the idea you had to go fast?? Thats B.S

I thought I'd heard that for stropping you have to go fast and honing has to be slower. But honestly I'm relieved that I don't have to strop fast haha.

Definitely go slow when you are learning to strop. One second to go up the strop. Stop. Roll the blade over the spine. One second to go down the strop. Stop. Roll. Repeat forty, fifty, or how ever many times you want. Speed will come with time and muscle memory.

Originally Posted by criswilson10

Definitely go slow when you are learning to strop. One second to go up the strop. Stop. Roll the blade over the spine. One second to go down the strop. Stop. Roll. Repeat forty, fifty, or how ever many times you want. Speed will come with time and muscle memory.

On the contrary. Do not stop at the end of a stroke. Stropping should be a smooth continual movement. As far as technique, when you start in one direction you are rotating the razor on the spine and as you go down (or up) the strop treat the edge of the razor as a plane coming in for a smooth landing. And near the end of the stroke, as you are thinking of rotating the razor again think of a smooth take off. Start slow in learning this, build it up to about a second in each direction and you will have edges you will want to boast about.

And before I forget again, the pressure on the strop should be as close to the weight of the razor as possible. I like to image a feather being stropped, use a feather light touch along with the image of a smooth take off and landing.

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

And before I forget again, the pressure on the strop should be as close to the weight of the razor as possible. I like to image a feather being stropped, use a feather light touch along with the image of a smooth take off and landing.

Great tips. Thanks.

I always strop slowly. Heat has nothing to do with the stropping process or the result.