Thread: Is it possible to over strop? is that a word?

I find that when I want to relax, I start to strop my razors (I have three in rotation). I'm doing well over 100 laps (is that the correct term? a lap being one strop on each side equaling one lap) per razor maybe more.

I know that the razors started off sharp when I got them(they were originally honed by bobsrazors.com and and hi bud gl) and that they still shave super smooth even after stropping for what seems like forever; not that I mind, I really do find it relaxing.

Any thoughts/

Originally Posted by fillamento

I find that when I want to relax, I start to strop my razors (I have three in rotation). I'm doing well over 100 laps (is that the correct term? a lap being one strop on each side equaling one lap) per razor maybe more.

I know that the razors started off sharp when I got them(they were originally honed by bobsrazors.com and and hi bud gl) and that they still shave super smooth even after stropping for what seems like forever; not that I mind, I really do find it relaxing.

Any thoughts/

Short answer: You can't over strop a razor IF your technique is on... If you roll the edge, or do any improper stropping, that causes a problem.. Repeating the improper form makes the problem worse... however, if you strop improperly (say you roll the edge), if it isn't too bad, a lot of stropping may even FIX the problem.

In my experience, to a point, more stropping is a good thing (I use the HHT qualitatively sometimes. It's not a definitive test, but can be good as a measuring test at some points... I won't go too deep into that, though) and I find that, to a point, the more I strop, the better the results...

Also, after honing, I do around 200 laps on three different fabrics, and 200-250 laps on different leathers... My edges are fine.

No, you can't overstrop if your technique is good, an you might just improve your edge sometimes.

Yes, as long as your technique is sound, doing a lot of stropping certainly will not harm your edge.

Just be careful of fatigue - as your arm/fingers/wrist gets tired you run an increased risk of screwing something up.

James.

Originally Posted by fillamento

I find that when I want to relax, I start to strop my razors (I have three in rotation). I'm doing well over 100 laps

When I want to relax, I make a Martini
Seriously tho, as previously noted, it won't hurt but its totally unnecessary to do 100's of strokes unless your compensating for something about the steel, hones or honing.
Leather is abrasive & will further refine the edge if it's not quite there but a few extra swipes on the finishing hone may get you there quicker.

+1 ont he other guys comments.

Theres a thread on the forum (which I cant find right now) that thebigspendur did about the number of stropping strokes needed. IIRC, there were diminshing returns once you get past about 70 strokes on leather, so you dont need to do hundreds of strokes to get a good edge.

I personally do 30 material and 60 leather before the shave, and then 15 material and 25 leather after the shave to make sure the edge is free from any micro-gunk. That works very well for me.

Of course, if you want to do hundreds of strokes, feel free! Its just there wont be much benefit from it. Thats not to say there no benefit at all, but you probably wont be able to tell the difference between a razor thats been stropped for 50 strokes and one thats been stropped for 150.

I think the benefit is refining the stropping technique isn`t it, I find it super relaxing too and hope that doing it more than is needed will just help with the muscle memory I figure I should be somewhere near proficient in a month or two....

And I'm still loving the Black Diamond wedge. I have to admit, I'm favoring full hollows versus the wedge, but I like the variety.

Originally Posted by ShavedZombie

Short answer: You can't over strop a razor IF your technique is on... If you roll the edge, or do any improper stropping, that causes a problem.. Repeating the improper form makes the problem worse... however, if you strop improperly (say you roll the edge), if it isn't too bad, a lot of stropping may even FIX the problem.

In my experience, to a point, more stropping is a good thing (I use the HHT qualitatively sometimes. It's not a definitive test, but can be good as a measuring test at some points... I won't go too deep into that, though) and I find that, to a point, the more I strop, the better the results...

Also, after honing, I do around 200 laps on three different fabrics, and 200-250 laps on different leathers... My edges are fine.

No, you can't overstrop if your technique is good, an you might just improve your edge sometimes.