Blog Comments

  1. Walkingblues's Avatar
    • |
    • permalink
    Thank you!
    I've just begun the cut-throat adventure (the benefits of retirement!), and found this post very useful. Tried it, thinking "This is monkey work."...20 or 30 laps without a hitch.
    Then my mind wandered for a moment, and the newspaper was shredded. Zen and the Art of Stropping.
  2. drmatt357's Avatar
    • |
    • permalink
    Serious question here I've been trying to figure out: It says "keep the spine in contact with the leather at all time" What if you hone with a layer or two of tape on the spine for whatever reason. If you don't strop with the tape (I don't think that would be practical for daily use) you will never really be hitting the edge? I'm relatively new to this forum so I apologize if this topic has been discussed.
  3. onimaru55's Avatar
    • |
    • permalink
    Nice blog Jerry. I always recommend this as a learning tool for newbs.
    If you're tearing a single sheet of newspaper the 2'' clip may be affording you too much pressure. Try with a 1" clip. The paper will slip out rather than tearing if either hand is too heavy.
  4. Disburden's Avatar
    • |
    • permalink
    Nice blog post. I think there isn't enough on stropping...very important, more so than honing.
  5. Maxi's Avatar
    • |
    • permalink
    Jerry,

    I remember sending you a PM a couple of years back, and the first part of this post was your exact reply. Since then, I haven't nicked a strop. Great post, and thanks for the information once again.
  6. AFDavis11's Avatar
    • |
    • permalink
    Awesome advice. I can't imagine a better description of timing and cadence.
  7. mrsell63's Avatar
    • |
    • permalink
    jhenry,

    There are numerous stropping videos on youtube etc. Watch them.

    As far as how to hold the razor while stropping, try this. On the back bottom corner of the tang, place your thumb pad on the corner. This is the position of your thumb on the "away from you stroke". Simply roll the tang between your thumb and index finger when changing direction to the "toward you stroke" while maintaining control with your little finger and your ring finger.

    All of this falls into place when you realize that the main idea is to focus on your count while you stroke on the strop in "SLOW MOTION".

    Re-read my essay as often as is necessary until you understand the simplicity of it.
  8. mrsell63's Avatar
    • |
    • permalink
    jhenry,

    There are numerous stropping videos on youtube etc. Watch them.

    As far as how to hold the razor while stropping, try this. On the back bottom corner of the tang, place your thumb pad on the corner. This is the position of your thumb on the "away from you stroke". Simply roll the tang between your thumb and index finger when changing direction to the "toward you stroke" while maintaining control with your little finger and your ring finger.

    All of this falls into place when you realize that the main idea is to focus on your count while you stroke on the strop in "SLOW MOTION".

    Re-read my essay as often as is necessary until you understand the simplicity of it.
  9. jhenry's Avatar
    • |
    • permalink
    It would be nice if you could post some photos of the correct way to hold the razor while stropping.

    A short 1-2 min. video might be even better.