Thread: STROPPING

I am new to straight razor shaving (just got my Dovo Bismark set and killed myself two times so far). Lyn Abrams video is great but leaves some questions.

I request Pro advice on the following:

1) Proper new strop preparation, ie; polishing compounds.

2) What is the function and proper use of the linen strop?

THX Mikel

at first welcome.
Please read wiki you will find a lot useful information in there.
about your questions.
strop leather side you WILL NOT PUT ANY stropping compound.
linen side you can put white dovo paste etc.
what does lining do heats up the edge and makes stropping more effective. i hope this answer satisfies you.
hope this helps

WELCOME, AND THE ABOVE POST ANSWERS YOU

Hi Mike, welcome to SRP. Here is an excerpt from a barber's manual on honing and stropping. There is a lot of good info in there to get you started on stropping correctly if you study it. Personally I use my linen first for say 50 round trips (back and forth) followed by the same on the leather. This before each shave. I also rinse the blade then wipe with a tissue and do another 20 or so on the leather following the shave. Helps clean the edge of any micro gunk that might contribute to corrosion. I have a seperate strop for pastes. IMO using paste each time you strop is unnecessary and could be counter productive. The SRP Wiki here is filled with tutorials and even videos that will be very helpful to you.

There is typically not a break in or prep for a new strop. I recommend running your palm up and down the strop before every session to clean off dust/micro debris and it serves to minimally warm the leather some, very little obviously. Hi Bud answered about the linen side and it's use. I am one who feels no need to ever use linen. My strop is leather only and does a fantastic job alone. That's just my preference though, there are many users who swear by the linen as being helpful in their razor preparation. Good luck and I hope you enjoy your endeavors with straight shaving! Welcome to SRP!

Jimmy
Your wealth of info has refocused my learning experience of straight razor shaving.
Now I know my new Dovo Bismark is not truely "shave ready".
Ham Radio has it's "Elmers" and Straight Razor shaving has its "Seniors"
Thank you for you time and knowldege.

Mikel

Thanks for the kind words Mike. It isn't that I know that much, just that I know where to find it when I need to refresh my memory..... such as it is. When you get this straight razor sport down pat you can pass it on and help out a new guy that needs it like many of the members have done for me when I was new.