Thread: Case of The Cupping Strop & Other Questions

Hey Gents,

I figured because of the fact I'm a beginner this is where I should post this? If not let me know and I'll head to the strop forum. Perhaps it will be some good information for my fellow beginners.

I have 2 strops:

1. SRD 3" Rock Hard Wool & 3" Black Webbed Fabric
2. Tony Miller 2 1/2" Heirloom Horsehide "Old No.2" Strop

I began learning to strop without an X pattern on the SRD strop, its larger and enabled me to first learn to hold my blade flat. Recently its occured to me I'm not sure what part of the strop to use first? Should I be using the wool side or the webbed fabric? As some of you might know already I'm the type of person who jumps right into things without a clue on how to begin. So after 3 months of shaving, my stroping method has improved but I have no idea what side of the strop I should be using first?

Now at this point in my short SRS career I've begun doing an X pattern. So far its going quite well. BUT, I decided it was time to break out the Tony Miller. Its been hanging for about 2 months behind my SRD, untouched, unused, for fear of damaging such a nice strop. I decided to try it out last night and noticed that it was cupping near the top, which made it impossible for me to keep my razor flat. So I'm wondering, is this because its so new and unused? or How do I fix this? The leather feels quite stiff, is there some sort of care or treatment I need to do here?

Thanks for reading & Regards

HigherFasterNow

Usually the felt is used for applying some sort of spray , diamond or CrO , or used as is for stropping before you would go to leather.
If you apply spray to the Wool Felt, then the sequence would be felt, linen, then leather.

Cupping usually happens in wider strops. It's rare in a standard sized strop. Make sure the top of the strop is even all across the top so it's evenly secured. Then you can try the putting a set of books over it or rolling a bottle back and forth or hanging weights from it. If it's dry a little conditioner might be in order but I don't know that softening will stop the cupping.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Usually the felt is used for applying some sort of spray , diamond or CrO , or used as is for stropping before you would go to leather.
If you apply spray to the Wool Felt, then the sequence would be felt, linen, then leather.

is diamond or CrO a spray? I suppose one gets that at SRD or ClassicShaving? So if i understand correctly I should use the WOOL side first then switch to the WEBBED FABRIC? sorry for the caps its more for my reading then yours lol.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Cupping usually happens in wider strops. It's rare in a standard sized strop. Make sure the top of the strop is even all across the top so it's evenly secured. Then you can try the putting a set of books over it or rolling a bottle back and forth or hanging weights from it. If it's dry a little conditioner might be in order but I don't know that softening will stop the cupping.

Ill check it when I get home tonight. I think the top is flat, if I remember right, I gave it a quick looking over last night. I'll try the bottle method as well. What type of conditioner do I use? I suppose there is a leather one? First thing I thought is I'd use my grilfriends hair conditioner lol.

Originally Posted by HigherFasterNow

is diamond or CrO a spray? I suppose one gets that at SRD or ClassicShaving? So if i understand correctly I should use the WOOL side first then switch to the WEBBED FABRIC? sorry for the caps its more for my reading then yours lol.

I personally do not use wool veru often, but it depends how your edge is, for example fresh of the hones if the edhe is good you probably will not need to use wool, just fabric and leahter.
If the edge strats to degrade a bit a few passes on wool with applied spray will bring back the edge, so it really depends and all comes with a bit of experience.
IMHO you need to start with a pro honed razor and linen/leather strop. Start slow and learn before you go firhter this will save you headahes .

Originally Posted by mainaman

I personally do not use wool veru often, but it depends how your edge is, for example fresh of the hones if the edhe is good you probably will not need to use wool, just fabric and leahter.
If the edge strats to degrade a bit a few passes on wool with applied spray will bring back the edge, so it really depends and all comes with a bit of experience.
IMHO you need to start with a pro honed razor and linen/leather strop. Start slow and learn before you go firhter this will save you headahes .

Ah I see, so the wool is a sort of edge restoration part of the strop. Thats good to know. Til I figure out or flatten my Tony Miller I'll just use the Webbed Fabric on my SRD. I have a few professionaly honed razors, Ill switch over to the TM soon as I flatten it, which is Leather/Linen.

Originally Posted by HigherFasterNow

Ah I see, so the wool is a sort of edge restoration part of the strop. Thats good to know. Til I figure out or flatten my Tony Miller I'll just use the Webbed Fabric on my SRD. I have a few professionaly honed razors, Ill switch over to the TM soon as I flatten it, which is Leather/Linen.

Not always, it can be used after the hones. In your case since you are not honing you can use it when the edge starts to degrade a bit to bring it back to full potential.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Not always, it can be used after the hones. In your case since you are not honing you can use it when the edge starts to degrade a bit to bring it back to full potential.

So much to learn not enough face to shave LOL. I'll put that bit of information back in the memory bank. I have a Dovo that needs a touch up. I was planning on doing 6-10 passees on the 8000grit and then hitting the strop then trying a shave. We shall see how that goes... lol

I got rid of my cupping by palm stropping for about 5min

Originally Posted by WhiskerBiscuit

I got rid of my cupping by palm stropping for about 5min

I'll try this too. Perhaps it will work. Thank you