Thread: Is over stropping possible?

Is over stropping possible?

Practice makes perfect they say.

I practice a lot. I think I'm getting the stropping technique down finally (almost a year now). I can do several stroppings in a day & evening of over 100 strokes or more mostly with paddle (freedom of movement). I practice with a couple different razors on couple different paddles and strops.

I would think that the quality of the shave would tell the tell which seems to be Ok so far. A little degradation in shave quality but not so much I won't try it again. Seems one or two got better after not being properly stropped while on the learning curve. I do have a ways to go with my shaving technique though. The chin and nose are still a major chore.

I am coming up on one year for my first razor to be properly honed for a second time. I'm looking forward to see if there is a big difference. It will gage how I'm doing.

So if one is stropping properly, no paste/spray just leather, can one over strop and or damage their razor? .

I don't have an answer, because I would love to know the answer too! From my use stropping only seems to help, but my skin is not sensitive to it is harder for me to tell.

I have about as much experience as you, but I did read from more experienced shavers in other threads that if you are stropping properly, there is no maximum amount. I've read from very experienced shavers doing upwards of 200 laps... The danger is that if your technique is incorrect, then more stropping can either increase the amount of damage, or increase the odds of incurring some damage to the blade or the strop.

Other users with more experience will probably also chime in, and I would like to expand the original question to include the pasted strops. Can a wire-edge be created with a pasted strop in the same way as over-honing?

I've been told that over stropping does not cause blindness. If you read some of the threads you will find shavers that routinely strop up to 200 laps, or so, before they are satisfied. Some seem to accomplish the desired effect in 50 to 60 laps. It's either OCD or various levels of stropping ability. As we say YMMV before you find your comfortable level.

With good technique, over-stopping is very, very unlikely.

I've gone up to 120 a few times, I'm usually at 50-60. I've never noticed any improvement over 100 laps.

I think it really depends on the blade. Given very good technique I doubt whether you could ever over strop, I do believe you can under strop. For me if the blade is very straight 100 on leather is my #,a smiling wedge may take 120, a big heavy smiler just off the hones may take more to get the whole edge evenly.
The risk is as you stop continuously and tire the threat of making a bad stroke due to fatigued is increased and I know from experience that it only takes a small mistake to set the edge back.

In my eyes over stropping is possible, but only by making a rounded edge, i never had the effect after the Stropping that the Razor become more aggressiv than before or that the Razor got a fine line.
It depends on the Steel of the Razor, the pressure, the kind of Leather and the Grind of the Razor and the Mix of all this Factors to round an edge.

Originally Posted by FranfC

>>>snip The risk is as you stop continuously and tire the threat of making a bad stroke due to fatigued is increased and I know from experience that it only takes a small mistake to set the edge back.

Being wore out and arthritic in starting SR shaving this was a concern and I did make lots of mistakes. Concentration and focus needed a bit of work too. LOL!! Now I'm not doing too bad. I do the usual 20/60 linen/leather before and 10/20 after. The long practice sessions have helped me develop that feel and sound when everything seems just right.

I'm still perfecting my shaving technique and do not want to needless butcher my self in those couple areas that are taking so long to get down. I have very sensitive wrinkled skin and a coarse beard.

Great feedback everyone.

Only if you make a rounded edge. I've seen people strop 40-60 times. I've seen some strop 100 times & it didn't hurt.