Strop Usage

I've read many, many threads on how to draw the blade on the strop, pastes, dry, etc... One thing I haven't found is something a bit more basic. Are the strops supposed to lay on a flat surface, or can they hang onto some sort of handle. if hanging, it wouls seem that the strop will bow as pressure is put on it. Does this bowing have a sgnificant effect on the edge?

Most of the strops I have seen have a linen side and a leather side. What is the order of usage? I am sure I will have many, many more questions as a newbie. Thanks for any guidance.

Dan

There are hanging strops and paddle strops (and others). For daily use, I would say most use a hanging strop. You do mount it to a hook of some kind (or doorknob, etc). The strop will bow a little, but you pull it somewhat tight to ensure you don't round the edge.

Generally, I would say most use the linen then leather. The value of the linen is debatable. Many don't use it at all.

For a new str8 shave, one of the best investments you can make is Lynn's DVD, The World of Straight Razors. Its over three hours of very useful information. It will answer many common questions and the visuals really help. Best of luck! :)

Jordan

Use the leather daily. Use the linen, then the leather, when the plain leather stops working. Pull the strop tight so there's no slack, but strop the razor with a very light touch (the weight of the razor itself is sufficient).

I have a hanging linen and leather strop from Tony Miller and I have to say I don't even remember the last time I used the linen. I have yet to find the leather insufficient. If you really needed something a bit coarser that the smooth leather you could use the rougher back side. I've heard other people do it, but I just don't seem to need to. And to agree with what Johnny J said about the pressure; you really just pull the strop hard enough to keep it flat and then ever so lightly strop the razor. The light touch is easy to get the hang of when you think that the lighter your touch the nicer the edge and the better your shave will be. If you haven't already bought a strop I would recommend a basic hanging leather strop from Tony.

Pull strop tight (pressure)
Just weight of razor (no pressure)

Somewhere in here I remember a thread all about linen/leather
The linen is basically a cleaner it removes the microscopic rust/rough and smooths the blade before the leather aligns the steel, some even say that it warms the edge so that the leather can do a better job.... The leather can do this alone too, so the choice is yours to make..... Personally I use my linen everyday then the leather but then again I have a rather large rotation so I might not use the same blade but 1-2 times a month..... Try it both ways and see what works best for you.....