Thread: Singing on the Strop

Have a question about proper strop pressure on a leather strop with hollow ground blades... I'm using a 3" wide red latigo strop that also has a canvas strop attached.

When stropping, I take care to always rotate on the spine. I try to get the spine moving before rotating the edge to make contact with the strop, so the edge doesn't slap the strop (not always successful).

I can tell pretty well when the edge meets the strop... when only the spine is in contact the razor slides along with little resistance and there is very little noise. When the edge makes contact, friction increases and there is a sort of leathery sliding sound. If I use just a tiny tiny bit more rotational pressure, friction increases slightly and there is a higher pitched raspy/singing noise. I'm definitely not putting any sort of excessive force on the blade portion (certainly not digging the blade in), and I'd say most of the pressure (little as it is) is on the spine...

I've noticed the antique wedge I have does not exhibit these traits... it is not nearly so sensitive to the slight increase in rotational pressure...

My question is, should I be stropping just so the edge is barely making contact, or is it okay/better to put the slightly greater amount of pressure on the blade? Just trying to find the "sweet spot"!

Thanks!

- HJ

Here is something I have learned and it seems to work...

Quit paying attention to the edge, pay attention to pushing and pulling the spine when you strop... "Keep the spine in line and edge will do just fine" (Oh I so like that it even Rhymes) I just make sure the spine is nice and even as I strop and have never had a problem..... The biggest thing to learn is the flip...

I noticice that I also get singing, but only on the lighter thiner bladed razors. All others are quiet. However I do not notice any decline in sharpness in the singing ones. Find they sing when no pressure used and stop when a little is applied, so I assume the singing is OK.
Please anyone correct me if I'm wrong!!!

The sound of a wedge vs. fuller grinds on the strop is different.

Some say to use the lightest pressure, some say use enough to feel a firm draw (some leathers do not draw much). Try both ways to see what works best for you and your particular strop.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Here is something I have learned and it seems to work...

Quit paying attention to the edge, pay attention to pushing and pulling the spine when you strop... "Keep the spine in line and edge will do just fine" (Oh I so like that it even Rhymes) I just make sure the spine is nice and even as I strop and have never had a problem..... The biggest thing to learn is the flip...

+1 on that.

I "discovered" this technique a little while ago and explain it to myself as sliding the spine under the razor instead of flipping the edge over the razor. Envisioning it this way keeps the spine in the lead and eliminates nicks. It was my stropping "breakthrough" where I stopped abusing my strop.

I've got two razors. A light-weight Henckels and a heavier Dovo. I am starting to get the best shave off the Henckels when I give it light pressure and hear the "singing". The heavier Dovo seems to require no pressure as the weight of the blade is enough. It also sing but not as much. I think the heavier blade makes that difference.

These two blades differ significantly in weight and size. Both are hollows.