Thread: How to hold the strop

Hi guys,

I just got my first strop and im just wondering how hard i should pull it when i strop, just enough to make it straight or harder? Im afraid to pull too much and that the pin holding the swivel will go out..so what do you think?

Btw I have used my Edwin jagger best badger brush now a few times and some of the bristles on the edge are standing out from the rest of the bristles and they have also become almost curly, you know a litte wavey..is this normal or should i be worried? the brush is also still a litte damp even a few days after use, I always shake out the access water and hang it on a stand. Is this normal?

I was going to recommend purchasing Lynn's CD. But I understand that postage, etc., can be almost prohibitive. You don't have to pull the pins out of the strop or the hook out the wall/door. You just want it taut enough to not bend much. Remember, you don't want much pressure on the blade. Just enough to keep it flat on the surface of the strop (i.e., not tipping to either side as the blade moves. The weight of the razor should be enough pressure. You are just trying the keep it flat. When you have that, then keep enough tension on the strop to keep it pretty straight. You don't want much deflection, but it will probably never be zero either. Lynn has a few free videos on the site somewhere that shows what that should look like.

I always have a few hairs that do that too. Do not worry about a few around the edge.

Originally Posted by dward

I was going to recommend purchasing Lynn's CD. But I understand that postage, etc., can be almost prohibitive. You don't have to pull the pins out of the strop or the hook out the wall/door. You just want it taut enough to not bend much. Remember, you don't want much pressure on the blade. Just enough to keep it flat on the surface of the strop (i.e., not tipping to either side as the blade moves. The weight of the razor should be enough pressure. You are just trying the keep it flat. When you have that, then keep enough tension on the strop to keep it pretty straight. You don't want much deflection, but it will probably never be zero either. Lynn has a few free videos on the site somewhere that shows what that should look like.

I always have a few hairs that do that too. Do not worry about a few around the edge.

...nothing more to be said really.

Dude! If you are pulling hard enough that you are going to pull the pen out.....stop it! If you do and the razor is in your hand you will hurt yourself. I would say about4 pounds of pull is enough. You want the thing not deflect when you drag the blade and that is all.


Take Care,
Richard

God kväll, Rawaz,

Originally Posted by Rawaz

I just got my first strop and im just wondering how hard i should pull it when i strop, just enough to make it straight or harder? Im afraid to pull too much and that the pin holding the swivel will go out..so what do you think?

It should be taut. If your pins are about to give, your strop was made for wimps. Or you are pulling too hard. Either way, that will not give you a good result.

Originally Posted by Rawaz

Btw I have used my Edwin jagger best badger brush now a few times and some of the bristles on the edge are standing out from the rest of the bristles and they have also become almost curly, you know a litte wavey..is this normal or should i be worried? the brush is also still a litte damp even a few days after use, I always shake out the access water and hang it on a stand. Is this normal?

Serves you right to hand over your money to the Perfidious Albion. Thäter Brushes just do not behave that way. And no, what your brush is doing is not normal. I usually strangle mine after use. That works marvels.

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

God kväll, Rawaz,



It should be taut. If your pins are about to give, your strop was made for wimps. Or you are pulling too hard. Either way, that will not give you a good result.



Serves you right to hand over your money to the Perfidious Albion. Thäter Brushes just do not behave that way. And no, what your brush is doing is not normal. I usually strangle mine after use. That works marvels.

Guten Abend mein freund!
Thanks for the help