Thread: Things about stropping I learned the hard way

A public service announcement, in no particular order:

-- Leather is a burnisher, not an abrasive. Linen is a much more aggressive burnisher than leather, and will go a long way toward renewing an edge.

-- If you can feel the edge catching the nap of the linen at the end of your stroke, the linen is eating the edge off. It's amazing how fast it will do this. Use a lighter touch, and begin lifting the razor off before the end of the stroke, while it is still moving.

-- If you have a light to normal beard, try 50xLeather before each shave, and 20xLinen + 50xLeather to restore an edge that's just starting to dull. If you have a heavy beard, try 20xLinen + 50xLeather before each shave. If your beard is the steel-eating nightmare from the blackest depths of hell, try 20xLinen + 50xLeather before each shave, and 50xLinen + 50xLeather to restore an edge that's just starting to dull.

-- You can't over-strop. (well, maybe you can if you have OCD and do 1000 laps, but really, you can't over-strop). If the linen is failing to restore your edge, there's no harm in trying more laps.

-- You don't need linen right after you've honed, leather is sufficient.

-- The 3 rules of stropping are: you need a light touch, you need a light touch, and you need a light touch.

-- If you have a strange fetish for huge meat chopper wedges as I do, even the weight of the razor is too much pressure. I said a light touch!

-- Pull the strop tight. Do not allow slack. For strops that have a linen & leather attached at one end, I always leave the bottom one (the one I'm not using) very slack to insure that all the tension is on the top one.

-- Don't try to go fast. Strive for good technique & consistency. The speed will come when it comes.

This has been a public service announcement

Very true and good explinations

When you say "linen"s wool linen? or is any fabric strop considered linen?

I believe linen is made from flax. The only linen I have ever used came with an old strop I bought off ebay. I've been told that canvas, and even seatbelt webbing, work about the same, but I haven't verified it myself.

Originally Posted by Johnny J

-- You can't over-strop. (well, maybe you can if you have OCD and do 1000 laps, but really, you can't over-strop). If the linen is failing to restore your edge, there's no harm in trying more laps.

I've done 1000+ laps in one session, and failed to over-strop.

Originally Posted by Johnny J

-- You don't need linen right after you've honed, leather is sufficient.

And you don't need a fine-grit polishing hone or chrome oxide after you come off the 8k, linen is sufficient.

I really really should have read this post before stropping my Dovo Prima Silver Steel for the very first time in anticipation of my own very first shave with a straight razor. Really. Most steps, I did ok, but I guess I did not put enough emphasis on 'a light touch'.. Oh well, a new strop is on the way. We live and learn....

Every video I've seen, including the two in wiki, show at least some presure being applied. The strop is curving a little under the blade.

When I pull my strop tight and apply little pressure, the strop doesn't curve at all. I have to applly a little pressure or slack the strop a little to get some slight curving. I don't have enough experience to judge the effects of my stropping though.

Originally Posted by jcd

Every video I've seen, including the two in wiki, show at least some presure being applied. The strop is curving a little under the blade.

When I pull my strop tight and apply little pressure, the strop doesn't curve at all. I have to applly a little pressure or slack the strop a little to get some slight curving. I don't have enough experience to judge the effects of my stropping though.

If it doesn't curve at all then it is defying the laws of physics. Mathematically speaking, applying a lateral force to a straight strop gives infinite "leverage" to the force. It is only after the strop is bent to form a "V" shape that its tension is converted to a force that can resist further deflection.

I'm sure the camera angle makes all the difference to how it looks in the videos.

Originally Posted by Rajagra

Mathematically speaking, applying a lateral force to a straight strop gives infinite "leverage" to the force. It is only after the strop is bent to form a "V" shape that its tension is converted to a force that can resist further deflection.

OK, that was funny

I suppose it does curve a little then, but not as much as I see in the vids. It's possible that the camera angles are deceptive; I cant judge.

Originally Posted by Johnny J

I believe linen is made from flax. The only linen I have ever used came with an old strop I bought off ebay. I've been told that canvas, and even seatbelt webbing, work about the same, but I haven't verified it myself.

Probably we need Tony M to chime in on this however I think that though classic Linen is made with flax I don't think the newer strops are. I think its pretty much cotton with a weave to emulate the old stuff.

Most seat belts are all synthetic stuff probably nylon or nylon blends.