Thread: Real reason for draw?

Steve, in "A Curious Obvservation' describes a 'stroping pyramid'.

I'd like to throw in my observations about stroping and the draw. I use one of Tony's 3" heirloom strops.

First, I've found that there is a strong draw after applying Lexol, but this decreases after a few days. I really don't like using Lexol because it seems to form a coating on the leather that does not penetrate. I saddle-soaped my strop and now I just rub it down my palm, coating with skin oil.

Second, I've also found that the draw increases as I strop.

I'm now of the opinion that as a blade is stroped, it is heated by friction, and that the draw increases as it warms.

Has anyone else found similar results?

Tom

Thats a good question. One that we can debate for a while. I have my thoughts on draw, but I'll suggest that your hypothesis is wrong.

I can achieve draw from a sharp razor on the first stroke down the strop, cold or not.

Have you tried stropping, getting a draw, then cooling the blade down and stropping some more?

Perhaps something else happens to the edge as it warms, something that remains for a little while?

I think its similar to what you see in surface tension when you overfill a glass of water and it just stays there without spilling. I think with certain leathers there is a surface tension that sticks to the blade. Not all leathers do this maybe because of the unique characteristics of certain hides or the materials used to tan the hides, I don't know. All I do know is my #1 hairloom has draw in spades but my Horsehide does not and I have 2 Double Duck strops both horsehide and they have no draw either. Maybe the Horsehide is just harder so there is less attraction. Just an uneducated guess

My old barber, Jim told me that it was important to strop quickly to build up the heat, but now that I think about it, wouldn't the leather be more affected by heat friction than the steel?

X

PS I advocate stropping carefully and that often means slowly.

I agree with your old barber, stropping quickly is critical to a good edge. I agree completely with the tension idea on the strop too based on whether the leather is compressed/hard or sticky soft, but . . .

Since only a sharp razor draws I believe there may be evidence of the fin present also. I believe the draw is coming from the opposing side opposite the contact side of the bevel. When you smooth out the bevel on the contact side the opposing side catches on the strop along with the bevel/fin. Once the fin is created the bevel and fin together create the heavy draw we feel. Well, thats my guess this year!

Originally Posted by xman

My old barber, Jim told me that it was important to strop quickly to build up the heat, but now that I think about it, wouldn't the leather be more affected by heat friction than the steel?

X

PS I advocate stropping carefully and that often means slowly.

That makes sence to me..

Perhaps it is the heating of the leather that matters. I sometimes briskly rub the strop with the palm of my hand before stropping. This would add some oil to the leather and heat the leather. I'll pay closer attention next time.

Tom