stropping for idiots

now my razor wont cut properly i have asked santa for some hones.
but i have a feeling i may have dulled it with the strop so i would like some tips,basicly start again so i dont mess it up again,i have done various searches but cant find any definate answers:shrug:

first off,i have a sprung 3" paddle strop with leather on each side black one side and tan on the other,the tan side seems courser,i take it this side is for paste Strops, brushes & soaps

i have Green Chromium Oxide and blue 1 micron diamond paste,but not sure how much of the diamond paste to use and how often to apply,and do i use one on each side of the strop or am i better of just using one of them,and bare leather.

on the above strop how many laps would you normally do after each shave,my beard is quite thin.
and roughly how much preasure,i think i may have been pushing to hard.i take my time with the strop to make sure my technique is right and have no nicks on the strop,or rolled edge on the razor its just really dull
thanks for any help
dave

First off, there is a nice thread with some good videos in it in the stropping area called "Stroptober". Perhaps some of the videos in there, or in the stickies in the stropping area, can help with the mechanics issues if there are any.

Second, I don't use pastes on strops much but when I have I always use them sparingly - as in when I apply an abrasive paste to a strop I do not put it on too thickly. I think it is better to err on the side of "not enough" than "too much". If you have no other strop, you should keep one side paste-free for leather-only stropping.

Keep your stropping pressure light - enough pressure to ensure the spine and edge maintain contact with the leather and that is about it. Focus on the spine maintaining contact - the biggest edge killer with pasted (or non-pasted for that matter) strops is the spine lifting while the edge is still in contact with the strop. If pressure has to be anywhere, focus it on the spine, not the edge.

Somewhere between 40-60 laps on plain leather seems to be the recommended number of strokes before each shave. Pasted abrasive leather is on an "as needed" basis, and should not be used before every shave - it should simply be used to spruce up an edge as it dulls over time, and then the number of laps required will depend on how dull etc.

I'm sorry there's no simple answers, but with time and patience you will work it out.

Good luck.

James.

Probably the biggest error for stropping is putting pressure on the blade. Only use the weight of the razor on the strop and go slow across the leather until you learn it. Concentrate... you are not sharpening the edge, you are only polishing it.

Reading is fine.... But nothing is better than visual.

STRAIGHT RAZOR STROPPING: HOW TO PREPARE BLADE FOR a SHAVE: STROP BEFORE SHAVING & RAZOR CARE - YouTube

This may be a very idiotic question, but what about the sound?
I watch the videos and try to do it exactly like they do and be very light on my pressure, but I get no swish sound or however you describe it as I run the blade across. Does this mean press a little more? Or are the sounds different for a large wedge versus say another type of blade?
Thank-you for any help you can provide

Sound will vary considerably between different razors. A wedge will make very little noise where a full hollow will make quite a bit of noise.
Sorry cant see the video your talking about I'm at work and we have a web filter on so I cant watch You Tube
Grant

it can depend on the strop as well, lighter draw/drag like bridle wil give less audible feedback than latigo or buffalo b/c they are smoother creating less friction and less auditory feedback. learn by feel, now if you hear a shing high pitched sound, that "usually" eludes to lifting the spine mid stroke

Grant-
Thank you for your reply. The video talks a lot about "hearing" it on the strop, and that is exactly my problem in that I do not hear the same swoosh type sound.
But I am using a big wedge, so your answer makes me feel better in that maybe I am not supposed to hear that sound.
Thank-you again

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Night

This may be a very idiotic question, but what about the sound?
I watch the videos and try to do it exactly like they do and be very light on my pressure, but I get no swish sound or however you describe it as I run the blade across. Does this mean press a little more? Or are the sounds different for a large wedge versus say another type of blade?
Thank-you for any help you can provide

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Sound will be different with different grinds. I think that before you try anything else try again with a little more pressure. You aren't going to hurt it if it isn't working. I understand why advice is given not to use to much but it can scare someone into not using enough. You are not going to hurt anything if it is dull already.

Thank-you Tiddle for that information.
I am using a English bridle type and along with what Grant said about the wedge making less sound it seems to make me think these two factors together - maybe I just won't hear that swoosh sound.
The blade still shaves my head good so far without pulling or anything, so maybe it is all good.
Thank-you both very much

Thank-you 32t.
I will definitely try more pressure if it starts to get dull, because as you say - what could it hurt then at that point.
Thank-you all for the help

No problem, I think you hit the nail on the head there sir.

back on topic:p
how many laps ect;)

I usually do 25 linen/50 leather for daily stropping. 30 linen/60 leather post sprays, pastes, and honing. Works well for me so far.