Thread: Stropping: I think I've been doing it wrong.

Originally Posted by freeman

Well, sort of. I've also noticed that stropping has had little or no affect on the sharpness of my razor. This got me to thinking I might be doing it wrong so after spending some quality time checking the wiki and some threads on the subject I decided to try a firmer hand when stropping. I stropped my favorite razor last night with about twice as much pressure as I usually use, a firm even stroke is about the best I can describe it.

I had a similar experience -- I found that a little pressure made a world of difference.

I like the idea of those weights, I think we all could learn from that. Mack

Originally Posted by mackie

I like the idea of those weights, I think we all could learn from that. Mack

Except it wont be accurate because most of the pressure you apply will be to the spine. The pressure to the edge will be controlled by the fingers on the tang and actually be lighter than what you put on the spine. If not then you are doing something wrong and taking a chance on ruining both the strop and your edge.

Originally Posted by JMS

Except it wont be accurate because most of the pressure you apply will be to the spine. The pressure to the edge will be controlled by the fingers on the tang and actually be lighter than what you put on the spine. If not then you are doing something wrong and taking a chance on ruining both the strop and your edge.

+1 that is my belief too. The barber manual excerpt on stropping (SRP Wiki help files) distinctly instructs to hold the tang between the tips of the forefinger and thumb ..... without bending the wrist... as you strop so that you can control the pressure on the edge. They say that light pressure is the way to go. AF Davis , a member who has done a substantial amount of experimentation with stropping has posted that light is right and I have found that to be true as well.

I do apologize for being slightly off topic but... I have a narrow paddle strop and putting some pressure, (I tend to agree on that one), could I damage the edge as I glide the blade to make an X pattern?,(on the long/side edge of the leather)?