Thread: Nicking the strop

I think thats good advice.

I have my strop tied to a towel rack which is about shoulder height for me. So I am stropping upwards as well. What I did when I first started was used a butter knife to practice and practice. Once I got the motions down i switched the knife out with a razor and took it slow. Like the others have said it's all about practicing.

As for ways to fix the strop the wiki article is pretty good.

Hope that helps,

- Tam -

Originally Posted by billyjeff2

I inflicted a not insignificant slice into my beloved Tony Miller strop due to inattention.
Anyone have any suggestions on how to repair a slice?

Have you contacted Tony?

I can't understimate the benefit I've had from using the practice strop I got from Tony Miller when I bought my cotton/latigo from him. Glad the nicks are on it and not the gorgeous real deal.

Jim

Stropping Technique.

I am a newbie and am no expert but I haven't nicked anything in at least two weeks (haven't been keeping track).

I did really chew up a practice strop from RupRazor then after I thought I had the technique down went and chewed up an SRD strop. Luckily they have replacement leather.

But now I am better at it and besides simple practice I do have one suggestion, something that helped me right away. It is a a matter of attitude, or visualization. When flipping the razor at the end of a stroke, don't think of it as flipping the sharp edge over the top, but as slipping the spine underneath, keeping the spine in contact with the strop. That causes you to change direction just as you are doing the flip. (Because the spine is in the lead.)

BUT whenever you try ANYTHING new be sure to do it S L O W L Y !

That reminds me of one more piece of advice: Don't try to go fast. Just go at a comfortable, in control, rate. This will just naturally get a little faster as time goes by.

I also have this problem being a newbie what I find helps is at the end of each stroke take the razor of the strop completely turn it over and come back the other way, I find it improves technique, speed and your strop looks a lot happier afterwards hope this helps

Alright so for starters i think i'm going to try moving the strop down to a lower level so that when i pull it tight it lies flat. I've been practicing on a bad razor and strop and also i know it sounds odd but on my arm. The blade is dull and doesnt cut anything so i hold my arm straight and move it back and forth slowly so that i can feel if the blade or spine is picking up. I know that sounds weird and prob unsafe but its what i'm trying atm. I'll let you guys know how it goes.