Thread: The Best Day Ever!!!!!!!

I have always used a bit of pressure as I had a hell of a time NOT using a bit of pressure. If I tried going lightly on the stone or strop I noticed that I couldn't tell if the edge was making contact just by feel. I watched the edge and sure enough it was off the frigging stone and strop, both... When I placed just enough pressure to feel the edge gliding on the surface I found I got better results. Right, wrong, or indifferent, pressure works for me at the moment.

Originally Posted by DwarvenChef

I have always used a bit of pressure as I had a hell of a time NOT using a bit of pressure. If I tried going lightly on the stone or strop I noticed that I couldn't tell if the edge was making contact just by feel. I watched the edge and sure enough it was off the frigging stone and strop, both... When I placed just enough pressure to feel the edge gliding on the surface I found I got better results. Right, wrong, or indifferent, pressure works for me at the moment.

IT'S TIME FOR A REVOLUTION!!

WE WILL FORCE EVERY ONE TO STROP WITH PRESSURE MUAHAHAHA!!!

Wow i don't feel so alone! well like i said i re-honed and stropped all my razors and well its definitely amazing what proper technique can do. the good thing is ive figured out my stropping problem before i purchased a new strop that will wait till next month now! anyway im definitely going to get one from Tony just don't no which one. Any in put would be helpful thanks again for the support guys

Nice job Eric,

I have used a bit of pressure since I started with my stropping. I will have to experiment more though as I want to see if I can get it even better.

Does the term "pressure" mean pushing down with you arm towards the floor or is more of a torque - pressing/twisting the edge against the strop? Discuss? please.

Jordan

I think it's better to apply the pressure more from the hand than the arm. And even more specifically using the thumb and index finger to manage the downward pressure. When I strop, it's my thumb on top of the shank that applies the downward pressure.

In fact, if you allow the downward pressure to come mostly from the forearm, you tend to put too much pressure into the strop. And I think you will have less control over the razor that way.

So if you can imagine doing it this way: try and maintain neutral pressure from the elbow to the wrist (relax the arm) and train the muscles of your hand (especially the "OK" muscles - thumb/index finger) to control the razor. There will be some downward pressure from the weight of your arm, but try and keep it neutral.

If you find that your hand feels like it's cramping up while stropping while your arm feels more relaxed, then you are on the right track.

Hope that makes sense.

Keep practicing

Scott

Originally Posted by jnich67

Does the term "pressure" mean pushing down with you arm towards the floor or is more of a torque - pressing/twisting the edge against the strop? Discuss? please.

Jordan

You make sure that spine and cutting edge are making contact at the same time and then apply even pressure so you don't accidentally lift the spine!
It would be hard to explain the amount of pressure though. X is right! it is a variable and will be different for each case. you have to experiment and not be overly worried about screwing up. unless you literally break the razor or cut your strop in half, most mistakes are fixable by the operator!

Ah! I do get the cramping hand thing.

Thanks for the info.

Jordan