Took my time and 200 perfect strops.....What a difference it made the blade

**pathology101** · 09-04-2015, 01:53 AM

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.

**Moonshae** · 09-04-2015, 02:07 AM

200 seems like overkill but it's good practice.

**charliechevy** · 09-04-2015, 02:22 AM

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

**sharptonn** · 09-04-2015, 02:30 AM

Spare the strop, spoil the blade!

**Wolfpack34** · 09-04-2015, 02:49 AM

Originally Posted by sharptonn

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.

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!

**sharptonn** · 09-04-2015, 02:59 AM

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

**FAL** · 09-04-2015, 03:01 AM

Well, FANTASTIC!!!!!!!

**sharptonn** · 09-04-2015, 03:12 AM

Originally Posted by FAL

Well, FANTASTIC!!!!!!!

Don't take our word for it, those will come along saying 20 laps is fine!

**Grazor** · 09-04-2015, 08:54 AM

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.

**rolodave** · 09-04-2015, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by Grazor

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.

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.

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