Thread: News paper and a butter knife for stropping practice?

I've seen it mentioned somewhere around here but can't find the thread again, my search-fu is weak. So is it advisable to use a strip of news paper and a butter knife to learn/practice stropping?

Matt

IF you fold up some newspaper to about 2 1/2 inches by 24" and clip it to a paper clamp which is tied to something stable it gives you a good practice surface to learn light strokes and the end of stroke flip. You can actually move up to a razor and use this set up to strop. Some find it easier to lay the paper down flat on the edge of a table or counter.....YMMV

It just keeps getting better.

+1 to above. I think it's a great way to learn stropping using a shave ready razor.

Originally Posted by Mdixon2124

I've seen it mentioned somewhere around here but can't find the thread again, my search-fu is weak. So is it advisable to use a strip of news paper and a butter knife to learn/practice stropping?

Matt

And if you get REALLY good at it, like EXTREMELY good at it, then you can learn to shave with the butter knife! When you do, I want to see a video of it! That would be kinda' cool. heh heh

Oh, but then again there's always this guy:

Wasn't this guy in a row with some of our executive membership? While good, I have learned a heck of a lot more from the folks here! Especially with regards to stropping.

I folded the news paper 3" wide and straddled it over the towel rack. Did not get too long a stroke but help me immensely to learn the flip and pressure. Only nick my new then latigo strop once very minor and repaired just fine. I highly recommended for learning.
One more thing, I used the actual straight. Figure if I cut the news paper no big deal. Also only when I had the confidence and a little bid of rithem, was when I went to the real one. Needles to say, I did not shave for 3 to 4 days until I felt confident with the flip and pressure.
Practice 2-3 times a day and you will get it quick. Double O

Thanks for all the advice guys.

And spoon shaving strangely awesome.

Matt

Originally Posted by Yochatman

Wasn't this guy in a row with some of our executive membership?

No comment.......

An old leather belt will also do the trick even though it will be a lot narrower.