Quote Originally Posted by RayClem View Post
When I strop, whether on a long hanging strop, or a shorter paddle strop, I always keep the spine in contact with the strop. I have developed good muscle memory and can strop at a decent speed.

In contrast, when I hone, I find it difficult to keep the spine on the stone. I lift the blade from the stone, flip the blade and then return the blade to the stone allowing the spine to contact first and then the edge touches down a fraction of a second later.

I think the difference is that I am using 3" wide strops and generally use straight stropping strokes. With honing, I use circles or x-strokes, so there is a different muscle memory involved. I have tried to learn how to keep the spine on the hone as well, but my muscles just won't cooperate.
This is exactly my problem. I can strop pretty well using the proper method of keeping the spine down but for some reason things fall apart when I'm over a stone :-)