Thread: stropping question

i've read the wiki and watched videos on stroping. to me it seems that in order to get the correct sound while stroping i am needing to apply a little more pressure to the edge side of the blade than the spline side. i was under the impression the pressure should be evenly distributed. also, i feel that i am applying more pressure then "just resting" the blade on the strop to get the sound. so,,, am i doing ok here or am i in need of a re-think? :-)

Originally Posted by gil3591

i've read the wiki and watched videos on stroping. to me it seems that in order to get the correct sound while stroping i am needing to apply a little more pressure to the edge side of the blade than the spline side. i was under the impression the pressure should be evenly distributed. also, i feel that i am applying more pressure then "just resting" the blade on the strop to get the sound. so,,, am i doing ok here or am i in need of a re-think? :-)

if you keep the strop just slightly loose you can get the right sound with no pressure at all. Make sure you use nice full draws too, take your time do not rush the stropping.

the sound that my blade makes while stropping varies a lot with the blade and the strop i'm using. so trying to match the sound on a video doesn't seem the best approach to me.
more important i think is to go with common sense - the critical part is to keep the spine on the strop and the strop from sagging (not pulling as hard as you can, just to have some tension) and the edge will take care of itself. a little variance in the pressure isn't as important as lifting the spine even the slightest.

i'm not lifting the spline but i am pushing down on the strop with more then just the weight of the razor, and to get any nice sound i need to put a little more pressure on the edge then on the blade.

Originally Posted by gil3591

i'm not lifting the spline but i am pushing down on the strop with more then just the weight of the razor, and to get any nice sound i need to put a little more pressure on the edge then on the blade.

The "nice sound" is NOT the goal of stropping. It's a side effect of some strops and some blades. The goal is to get the edge ready to shave again. I suggest you follow gugi's advice and don't worry about the sound.

You've got some great advice here. The sound is a consequence of stropping not the goal of it. Horsehide strops make no sound at all no matter what you do. Just strop correctly to get the result you need and if you get a sound you like well, that's just icing on the cake.

Gil,

As long as the edge is in contact with the strop, the spine is also touching and you aren't using excessive pressure you should get good results. It's generally a good idea to use light pressure, but I find that sometimes using a little more pressure at the start, then lightening up during the remaining laps helps on some razors. That pressure can come in the form pressing equally on spine and edge, or by "torquing" the blade edge into the the strop slightly like you describe. On one razor I actually keep the spine about a millimeter above the strop while very lightly touching it with the edge, but that's a special case.

Like mainaman said, it's a good idea to take your time and not be concerned about speed.

Cheers,
Jeff

I've read one or two threads about the "right" sound when stropping, but being hard of hearing I don't pay much attention to those threads. But I am interested in what is considered a "good" sound with regards to this thread and anyones thoughts on what stropping sounds like.

The only sounds I usually hear are a high pitched swishing or a lower pitched swishing. That and a constant ringing from Tinnitis