Thread: The importance of Stopping

Hey, just wanted to say that the first thing you should learn as a newbie is learning how to strop with speed and precision. Get a cheep strop and learn to do it fast, since speed makes a difference. Also try rubbing your palm onto the strop real fast and see if you can heat it up, if not, rub some lip balm (the Vaseline stuff) into it or some strop treatment (yellow dovo paste). It makes the strop faster and easier to use properly, and get a really good edge on your razor. I have a dovo strop, and it's too slick out of the box (since they recommend you paste it with the yellow treatment stuff straight away...)

I agree, the importance of stropping is VERY importance. I'm not sure I agree that stropping faster is better though...It certainly makes the process much faster, but I don't know if speed has anything to do with it's effects. I have not really done much experimenting on this, but I'm just hypothesizing.... I suppose I'm just worried that newbs will be too focused on speed while stropping, and not so much on the other important aspects of the technique.

But that aside, stropping is definitely very important. Rubbing the strop before you use it is really useful!! It's a great way to add draw, isn't it? I've done it ever since I read a post of Lynn`s talking about it.

Dave

I actually noticed that it's more useful for checking if your strop is conditioned enough, you can rub a new dovo strop for a week without any heat, a bit of petroleum jelly (or vaseline, I don't know the difference) and it heated right up. After that and developing enough speed to do 20 laps or more per minute I really started seeing results!

I`ve never used vaseline, but a well conditioned strop makes a WORLD of difference. I sanded mine very lightly (with 600 grit) and then used Fromm leather conditioner. I don`t like the feel of a slick strop....doesn`t feel like it`s doing anything! So I guess we both prefer a strop with more draw.

Dave

Originally Posted by Stuggi

I actually noticed that it's more useful for checking if your strop is conditioned enough, you can rub a new dovo strop for a week without any heat, a bit of petroleum jelly (or vaseline, I don't know the difference) and it heated right up. After that and developing enough speed to do 20 laps or more per minute I really started seeing results!

Psssst...how abouts 120 round trips per minute??


Scott

I went and timed it, 50 laps per min if I take my time. Quite an improvement from 5 yesterday!

http://straightrazorpalace.com/newbi...tml#post305735

Stropping speed does make a difference, however there's no use being fast if the technique is shoddy.
I think it's about the precision 1st, & then the speed will follow.
Here's an interesting post on stropping speed. By the man above incidentally.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...xperiment.html

Notice that a light touch is required & this is where you just can't try to rush. Your own pace is whatever it is & it will improve the more you strop.

Oh, & about 90 laps/min & improving here!