Thread: what is the difference between honing and stropping

hello everyone,

i am new to this website and i am wondering what honing is and what stropping is? if there is already a post about this topic please send me a link. i am trying to figure this out before i purchase a straight razor to shave because i am tired of disposable razor blades.

thanks.

Hi there,
welcome to the site

honing shapes the edge of a razor and creates the cutting angles whereas stropping re-aligns and polishes the edge

if you look in the archives you will find a wealth of knowledge

heres a link to info that will help you understand the differnce further

http://straightrazorpalace.com/compo...d,16/Itemid,3/

Hi and welcome. Honing is done with stones of smaller and smaller grit and takes off metal to create the edge. Stropping (with a regular non-abrasive conditioner) straightens the very edge and does not take off metal. You will need both eventually but a strop for sure soon.

Monte

Welcome,

I suggest a lot of reading on this site before you purchase any equipment. I do believe, if my memory serves me, that there are a few posts on honing and on stropping also.

A little time searching should yield some good info.

Honing is done edge into the stone and stropping is done edge away from the strop. They are completely different processes. You never want to approach a strop with the edge of a straight razor as you will ruin it. The classic barbershop method for preparing a straight razor is honing on a belgian coticule and then stropping on natural leather.