Thread: Stropping observation

I've noticed that the more I strop my JA Henckles the sharper it gets. I had it honed and sharpened initialy by a reputable (and old) barber, and I was getting good shaves off of it. But now that I've been using it for about a month, it's sharper than ever, and my shaving time has been reduced and I'm getting the baby face shaves.

My observations, correct me or make comments if I'm wrong:

1. Proper stropping is a requirement, not an option
2. the steel of a quality blade is very hard, stropping takes some time to polish the edge
3. blades are living creatures that want to be used for the purpose they were made.

What do you all think? Is this common to have a blade become sharper as it's used?

Sounds about right to me . . . just the other day I wanted to post something to the effect of "my strop is a higher grit than your 30k hone".

I find the linen mixed with the leather gets the effect you describe to a little faster.

your blade doesn't get sharper because of use but it get's sharper because of your experience. Gl.

I find that good stropping withs smooth out even the best honing job, so using it for a month and stropping, the edge get even more polished - up until a point - you're probably at the peak right now, and will begin to gradually lose sharpness for another few months until you go and retouch the blade on the hone again...and so the cycle restarts.

And yes, blades are living creatures, and respond the best when used properly.

And a ++1 - IMHO, stropping is NOT an option, but a very necessary and under-appreciated step in the shaving process.

Keep up the good shaves, sounds like you're doing great!

Mark

Thanks for the input. I was wondering if it was just me or if it was a real phenomenon. Yeah, my skills are getting better, but I am certain the equipment is a large part of that. It's great to know that I will have several months of shaving before I have to re-hone the blade, that's a good deal! And a re hone takes a few minutes anyway, way better than buying new uber-tech disposables every week.....

You should be very proud of the fact that you have mastered one of the key concepts of str8 razor shaving this early in your adventure. The hardest part of learning to strop, for me anyway, was the fact that determining weather or not I was doing it correctly could only be felt when I shaved. After some time of trying this... then trying that...did I finally put together the correct feel for the process. You have been given a real gift so early on. What ever you are doing, DON'T CHANGE IT!

Congradulations
and Good luck,

Ray

Speaking of which, feel free to share exactly what you are doing . . . a description of your stropping would be very helpful to many new members.

OK, well let me think for a moment. At first I tried the methods described in the videos and such, that is to say by working the blade down the strap, then fliping on it's spine and going the other direction. That had several problems for me, not the least of which was the fact that I had previously broken both wrists in service to my country, so I had problems getting the rhythem down, let alone the delicate touch required. I am now simply holding the strop tight, and using my left hand I give the blade about 20 licks towards me, then change hands and do the same with the other side of the blade with my right hand, again towards me. I then do the same with 10 strokes, then 5. I find I can get a good flat and fast stroke this way and I hear a nice "zipping" sound when I do it. If the blade feels dull, I give it about 10 strokes each side on the canvas, then go to the leather. I use my arm, not my wrists and the blade is a nice super sharp shaving tool now.

My method probably bucks conventional wisdom, but it works for me and seems to be doing what it's intended to do. I've noticed a significant improvement in the shaves I'm getting. Hope this helps if somebody else is having issues with stropping.

Very cool. Screw the new guys . . . I found that really cool.

I've read a very similar technique used to prevent a wire edge when knife sharpening -- one side at a time, and progressively decrasing the number of strokes per side.