Honing the Back

[honedright]

Now that I've got your attention

I'm always trying to think of better ways to teach stropping to new users. One disadvantage here (SRP and other online forums) is that we are trying to describe via words what should ideally be shown, and then practiced, under the direct supervision/ guidance of an experienced user.

So a simple concept occured to me that may help some new users with their stropping. And I don't recall anyone else ever mentioning this, so I hope it is a new and helpful idea. It's simply this:

Instead of concentrating on trying to strop the razors edge, try to concentrate on "honing" the razors back, or spine, while stropping. Hopefully that makes sense and is easily visualized.

By doing this you are more likely to keep the back of the razor flat on the strop. If the back is flat, the edge should follow suit. Also, more pressure will be focused on the back and less on the edge. This should make it easier to control the pressure exerted on the edge.

I suspect that many new guys focus too much on the edge and that could be the reason for rolling and/or dulling the edge while stropping.

Just focus on the back of the razor as though you were honing it (back leading). Allow the edge to trail behind. You are essentially stropping the same as before, just thinking and approaching it differently. And thus this may give different, and possibly more productive, results.

Good luck,

Scott

Another thought: If you follow this concept, you may find it helps when you actually are honing your razor edge. Since honing and stropping are essentially the reverse of each other, the above actually gives you practice at honing. A two-fer.