Thread: Sultan of Strop

Hi All,
I just got my strop, and I have a couple questions.
1) The razor is a little wider than my tiny strop. Any suggestions on how I can use it while making sure that I'm sharpening the whole blade? Anyone else have this problem?

2) It has a smooth side and a rough side. What's with that?

-Paulson

based on what I read on several discussion here:
1. wider strop or less wide strop, you still need to employ x-pattern, no difference

in my filly's the rough side has beed paste by ken rup to touch up the blade, I use the smooth side for everyday stropping

Originally Posted by jankrix

based on what I read on several discussion here:
1. wider strop or less wide strop, you still need to employ x-pattern, no difference

in my filly's the rough side has beed paste by ken rup to touch up the blade, I use the smooth side for everyday stropping

1. Not really...

And the rough side of leather is different from a pasted side.

Originally Posted by thepaulson

Hi All,
I just got my strop, and I have a couple questions.
1) The razor is a little wider than my tiny strop. Any suggestions on how I can use it while making sure that I'm sharpening the whole blade? Anyone else have this problem?

2) It has a smooth side and a rough side. What's with that?

-Paulson

1. What strop did you get? As for the way to cover the whole blade, with strops that are less than 3 inches wide, you need to learn the X pattern of stropping that has you start with the heel on the strop and, as you draw the blade across, you slide the razor down, then reverse that going the other way (Check the Wiki, there are videos.) That way it covers the whole blade.

2. Again, we need to know what kind of strop you got. Some strops have a rough side meant for use, some have a rough side that should NOT be used... so, what strop is it.

Cheers,
Jeremy

Originally Posted by ShavedZombie

1. Not really...

And the rough side of leather is different from a pasted side.



1. What strop did you get? As for the way to cover the whole blade, with strops that are less than 3 inches wide, you need to learn the X pattern of stropping that has you start with the heel on the strop and, as you draw the blade across, you slide the razor down, then reverse that going the other way (Check the Wiki, there are videos.) That way it covers the whole blade.

2. Again, we need to know what kind of strop you got. Some strops have a rough side meant for use, some have a rough side that should NOT be used... so, what strop is it.

Cheers,
Jeremy

hahaha thanks mate

Originally Posted by jankrix

hahaha thanks mate

Yep. Also, just so you know, the rough side of your Filly was pasted with Chromium Oxide... Some times referred to as "green". Most likely .5 micron (which is the standard grade/size). The leather of the Filly is Cowhide, and it's 2 inches wide, so the x pattern is almost always a must.

EDIT: I should stop posting when it's late... I was thinking of the TM beginner strop.

I don't think the Filly is made from latigo. I could be mistaken but it seems like it is pretty close to rawhide - napped on one side. The Filly is also 2-inches wide and, in my opinion, difficult to use. An x-pattern is required with this strop. A 3-inch strop does not (usually) require an x-pattern for use. If your blade is over 3-inches long, then that is another story. I hope this helps

RupRazor - The Filly

+1 to Jeremy's comments.

A 3" wide strop doesnt need an X pattern (assuming the whole blade fits on the strop) but if the strop is narrower than the razor then you'll need to do an X pattern.

You cant use the rough side of every strop. Some leathers are suitable for this and some are not, and it does depend on the make of the strop as Jeremy notes.

You should use the smooth side for daily stropping, but if you use the rough side and its not meant to be used you could damage the razors edge. My advice would be dont use the rough side until you are sure that you can use it safely.

This is what I bought:

Jemico Dovo german razor strop 13" rindleder leather single sided

In my brief experience with it, it seems like the smooth side is the way to go.

Originally Posted by thepaulson

1) The razor is a little wider than my tiny strop. Any suggestions on how I can use it while making sure that I'm sharpening the whole blade? Anyone else have this problem?

Three-inch strops are relatively new to the scene. Most strops before this were 2- 2.5 inches. You just need to use the x-stroke. You can look that up in the stropping section of the wiki.

Originally Posted by thepaulson

2) It has a smooth side and a rough side. What's with that?

You use the smooth side.

Here is one of my 1.5" by 11" paddle strops in action:
YouTube - Movie1.wmv