Thread: I messed up my razor

Originally Posted by relli1130

Just as important as the razor you use is the strop you use. I think you mentioned you tried stropping your razor with a leather belt. Unless your belt is 3" wide, you're in for a difficult time learning to strop I'm afraid. You'd be better off getting a piece of 3"x 12" leather and gluing it to a paddle (commonly found at Hobby Lobby...). Then you can properly strop your razor.

I have to disagree with that.
If you look at vintage strops they are mostly 2 to 2 1/2 wide and proper stropping requires an X stroke, not just straight up an down. Far more importantly than the width of the leather is that the leather is flat and smooth.

Barbers must have struggled stopping for all those years.

When I look at the posts by some people that consider themselves an ""Expert"", I begin to lose faith in evolution! The tools we use have developed over time and trial and most folks advocating "change" seem to have some strange desire to confuse others.
~Richard

All I’m trying to say is if the man gets a 3” wide strop, he will have an easier time learning how to strop his razor. Out of curiosity, why does proper stropping require an X stroke? What does an x stroke do to the razor that can’t be accomplished with a straight up and down stroke?

I’m by no means an expert, ever considered myself one. Just offering my thoughts as a relative newbie, having been at this hobby for 2 years now. Sorry if my comments added any confusion to the discussion.

Straight up and down strokes work the middle of the blade more than the tip and heel. By doing so on pasted strops, and touch up hones you are actually creating a frown. On a regular strop you are not effectively stropping the toe and the heel.

Racetrack and windshield wiper patterns also work well if the x-stroke doesn’t feel comfortable.

Originally Posted by RezDog

Straight up and down strokes work the middle of the blade more than the tip and heel. By doing so on pasted strops, and touch up hones you are actually creating a frown. On a regular strop you are not effectively stropping the toe and the heel.

Ok. I’ll take your word for it. The X stroke always has confused me- whether on a hone, or a strop. Here is why: as the razor travels up and down the hone (or strop) it seems the toe or the heel is off the surface then on the surface ( or vice versa). So to me, with an X stroke, the middle of the razor is always making contact with the medium. But the toe and heel are not... so to me, your comment about a straight up and back stroke on a 3” strop working the middle more than the tip and heel- doesn’t resonate. If even, light pressure is applied, the razor should be making constant contact on the medium ( hone or strop).

Not trying to hijack this thread- the OP needed assistance with his messed up razor. Hopefully he finds the info he needs.

Originally Posted by RezDog

Straight up and down strokes work the middle of the blade more than the tip and heel. By doing so on pasted strops, and touch up hones you are actually creating a frown. On a regular strop you are not effectively stropping the toe and the heel.

I for some reason can't do an x-stroke with stropping so I work the blade back and forth with the toe or the heel off the leather for a few passes. This works well for me

Originally Posted by rodb

I for some reason can't do an x-stroke with stropping so I work the blade back and forth with the toe or the heel off the leather for a few passes. This works well for me

I do the same. If you move the blade back and forth so all parts of the blade receive equal amounts of stropping you will he OK.

Originally Posted by rodb

I for some reason can't do an x-stroke with stropping so I work the blade back and forth with the toe or the heel off the leather for a few passes. This works well for me

This would only be a result of having a strop that is less than 3” wide though right? I get what you are saying...if I owned a strop that was 2-21/2” wide I would probably use the same technique. Or are you using this technique with a 3” strop?