Stropping. Have I cracked it?

Well today is day 3, and still no blood bath! I do have a 5 or 6 red marks where I have had nicks/weepers though.

Right, to the point......

I have been practicing my stropping quite a bit and think I might have cracked the technique. I just need confirmation or advice if I'm wrong.

Presently I am using my TM Practice Strop which I have given a very light touch of Neats Foot Oil.

When I strop, I do so in an 'X' pattern and it feels like the blade is being sucked down onto the strop. This feeling is quite pronounced and it wasn't happening when I first started stropping.

Is this indicative of a correct technique, or am I still not getting it right?

The blade also makes a muffled scraping sound as I draw it along the strop.

Thanks
Kevin

As long as the spine and edge remain in contact with a taught strip of leather, you are stropping correctly.

A little bit of speed and slight pressure are good.

The feeling should be almost as if the leather is sticky, which it seems you are getting. So yes, I'd say you've got it!

:y:y:y Woo Hoo!

That's a relief.

I've checked the blade a couple of times under the microscope just to check I wasn't rolling it.... I know sad but true :o

Thanks for the prompt reply.

Sounds like you're doing it right! Of course, the best test for this is actually SHAVING with the freshly stropped razor. If you don't notice any tugging, and it's cutting through the hair, you're probably doing it right!

Keep it up!