Like the post said. I did 200 perfect slow well semi slow strop laps. I tested the blade on a small spot. It felt like it made the world of difference. I will know the proof of the pudding in the morning when I do my full right side shave. I will keep you informed on how it went.
200 seems like overkill but it's good practice. :)
Perfect practice makes perfect. I have two blades, and often I will sit and watch a movie or ESPN and just strop one. But you are right...and you're face will give you feedback. If it works (and you have time) strop that puppy 200 times!
v/r,
Charlie
Spare the strop, spoil the blade!
Funny but very apt Tom! I am a huge believer (as i know you are) in what some folks would call over-stropping, but I call a necessary part of blade edge set-up and maintenance. I routinely strop a newly honed blade 300-400 laps progressively on several strops from heavy to elegant to very slick, to set the blade edge.Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
It really works for me and many folks whose blades I've honed have remarked on the smoothness of the edge! Spare the strop...indeed!
Agreed, Mike. All talked of is honing, but stropping is like the stepchild. So many complain of edges using this hone and that.
All of my most effective and comfy edges have been developed with strops after the honing. Progressive leathers works for me as well, YMMV
Well, FANTASTIC!!!!!!!
Don't take our word for it, those will come along saying 20 laps is fine! :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by FAL
Yeah, it took me a while to appreciate how much difference progressive stropping made straight off the hones. I now do 100 on rough roo leather treated with lead, 100 rough leather, 60 smooth roo, 60 finish leather. Smooths that edge out very nicely.
I do much the same progressing from a high draw Latigo to finishing on a NM Shell Cordovan.Quote:
Originally Posted by Grazor
The point is to align and burnish the edge. The more "burnished" the smoother the edge.
When stropping I will do "heel" leading strokes and then perpendicular strokes. Usually in sets of 20.
Is it overkill? Probably, but it makes me happy.
Yea, that's double what you need, but it all depends entirely on the condition of the edge off the hone. If 1,000 passes on a strop feels better, go for it! When I started out I used 100 to 200 passes on linen and 60 on leather. Now I can settle out a razor (with lots of stropping) and just strop a touch before each shave.Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
I'm a slow stroper, and have no desire to strop at lighting speed like you see so many guys do. I've seen first hand someone who just couldn't get it out of his head that stroping fast was just so cool. He kept coming back to me saying, the edge you put on my razor is so sharp, and then after I strop it, it goes bad. I show him exactly how he should be doing it, nice and slow, and he still flails away with a limp wrist.
Stroping correctly will make or break a newcomer to wet Shaving. Concentrating on that blade laying flat, and going slow is key..... did I say it's KEY! :)
Keep at it! Your following the right path. :)
If it is beneficial, more power to you. I'm using a homemade strop right now.
I would like to eventually get a good strop with fabric, then one with compound.
I dont think I've ever read a post where someone wished they had stropped their blade less before using it.
I must say that I am becoming a convert (may my Hebraic ancestors forgive me) to 'excessive' stropping. Of late I have increased my daily ministration to roughly 120 on English Bridal leather (3"). I may start dividing that up between an old horse shell (2-1/2) and the English. And as soon as I can get my Lipman running (I'm a slow starter, Tom) I'll add that to the mix.
A wise friend from this forum told me that LOTS of leather passes could make all the difference in the world. He was right.
However, I am a very impatient (and slow) stropper, because I can't wait to move on to shave. So, instead of my normal (15 linen, 50 leather), I tried just a few linen passes to make sure the edge was clean, then, much as I like that "zip" sound on fabric, I started trying 10 on rough leather, then 25 minimum on a heavy draw (roo that I messed with too much with neatsfoot) and then at least 100 on a medium/light draw of which I have several choices ("Un-polluted" roo, english bridle, good basic SRP leather). I was amazed at the shaves I got when I started doing that.
Try it, you'll like it.
I have nothing productive to add; I just thought this was an interesting read. I'd like to have a stropping progression. Unfortunately, I need to expand my soap beyond this Van Der Hagen I'm trying to use up before I get "variety" in strops :gaah:.
Time to bookmark another thread...
Well, do lots of reps upon anything smooth you have! Give the old VDH a few drops of glycerine!Quote:
Originally Posted by Crawler
Instant upgrade! :D
Stropping was somthing that I learned the hard way- ruined a couple of strops and several edges before finally getting it down! It does make a huge difference, I noticed that as my stropping got better so did my shaves...
Well without this thread I would have never know.
My name is Shaun,
and I am an excessive stropper.
No progression but I strop at least 100 on leather before every shave after 50 on felt.
Like Shaun, do what works for you and makes you happy.Quote:
Originally Posted by RezDog
As is the usual case in this forum, the right answer is in your head, not someone else's noggin.
Welcome Shaun to 'Excessive Stropper Anonymous'. Congratulations...The first step in understanding and dealing with your affliction is admitting you have it. Look in your local directory for meetings of ESA in your area. If you need personal guidance and help I would be glad to offer my assistance as a long distance sponsor. Just remember...there is help available and you Can learn to live with this affliction.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RezDog
I find about 10 laps is usually enough........
Nah! Only joking!! I normally do at least 50 laps, but sometimes more if I have time. Can't see anything wrong with doing 200 laps if that works for you, but I've never done that many. Just may try it.
I, too, am afflicted with OS. But I do not wish alleviation from this syndrome. It allows me time to Zen out as I count the laps on my chalk, felt, English Bridle leather and sometimes my Russian shell strop. It gives peace to the day and a regularity in this oft times chaotic life (yeah, even the retired have chaotic days.)
I don't strop too much because I was told it'll make me blind and I figured better be safe than sorry.
They also told me it causes hairy palms, too, but I already got those... :hmmm:
That's only palm stropping :angel:Quote:
Originally Posted by gugi
I'll jump in here and say I am not a progressive stropper either. My SRD modular leather sees 50 laps, slow and smooth after 25 on vintage flax linen. I find I can really feel the edge smooth out. Don't shoot me but I'm not sold on the whole progressive stropping makes the edge any better but to justify your Strop Acquisition Disorders, maybe it works. Either way to each their own :)
Progressive stropping fresh off the hones makes a world of difference to me anyway. Found out the hard way, put a freshly honed razor away after a shave that I thought was well below par, two weeks later and some more leather it got much better, third shave was a charm.Quote:
Originally Posted by S0LITARYS0LDIER
Same razor has well over 70 shaves on it, refreshed at about 50 shaves with progressive strops, no paste...:shrug:
That's the ticket! After that just regular stropping whatever you feel is best. For me that is about 60-80 leather. When the blade starts to tug go to the strops for a bunch of extra licks instead of going to the hone or pastes. You will understand...Quote:
Originally Posted by Grazor
I'm with the consensus of stropping using multiple leathers and impregnated honing panels. The more I strop the better my edges become. I'm extremely fluid in movement so the many passes are never an issue for damaging the edge, like you here so often from the peanut gallery. I tend to look like I'm rocking back and forth on my heals when I strop (my little stropping dance Har)
Dont let anyone sway you. Heavy stropping is the real deal.
Tarkus, as I recall you have numerous Lipman's. Based on your comments you should contact a choreographer and co-choreograph a modern ballet called Honing the Beast. It could convert the unwashed to dance and straight razor shaving.:rock:
I find it relaxing at times...zen like some one once said. I will just strop until I need glasses instead of doing it and going blind.
Indeed I never knew I rocked on my soles of my feet until several people pointed it out to me and laughed. I guess it keeps me in the groove. Har!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Razorfeld
I feel it is quite interesting that a turn of personal events has brought this subject to fore.
Was not so long ago that as the subject was brought up, some would come in and bash it. Indeed, it caused much controversy in threads long ago. Microcope views (shudder!) and 'Proof' are unnecessary. Strops work. Some are different. Just like hones.
What some gain by using a variety will always be misunderstood by those who do not posses such variety.
And here we are with stropmakers/sellers offering interchangeable strop materials in a variety of configurations.
The shaves will be the only proof.
Go figure!
20 laps is fine ! :pQuote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
I can see the "less is more" tenet is not being applied here.
I'm telling Lynn :nono:
Thanks, Oz! I knew one of you old-timers would be along. I am certain Lynn needs the entertainment! :D Whatever you do....Just don't tell Robin! :rofl2:Quote:
Originally Posted by onimaru55
Bruce
Who you callin old ? :pQuote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
You know 'zactly what i'ma talkin' about, Arnold! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by onimaru55
Bruce
Okay, gents. You have me thinking.:hmmm:
I have a Latigo/poly webbing strop from SRD and prior to shaving do 20 laps on the webbing and 60-75 on the leather. After shaving and drying the razor I do 10 laps webbing, 15-20 leather. I have two razors that are starting to struggle with tree-topping and aren't providing a smooth and comfortable shave. Would increasing the laps on leather to 100-150 return the edges to their formal glory?
What if I lightened my pressure for the last 50 laps? Would that be similar to progressive stropping?
Perhaps this is why it is such a controversial subject. Only your personal experiences, with what you have, count!Quote:
Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings
Just what I suspected. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
I think, for the sake of tonsorial science, I will test this out later in the week using one razor, followed by the other razor next week.