Thread: Is the canvas part of the strop necessary?

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

Randy, even though I may not want to go against your advice on razor-related issues, I question time-honored traditions as a matter of general principle. Don't forget that European people thought that other races were beneath them for at least 300 years. And how long did we think that the Sun revolved around the Earth? Just because we spent centuries thinking believing in something doesn't necessarily make it right.
With that being said, I still use the linen side of the strop and I noticed a difference in the draw.

Ilja,

When questioning long held beliefs you might even wonder whether we need a leather strop at all. Might just a linen stop be all we need? Ed Simons of the Illinois Razor Strop Company quoted above is of the opinion that linen has abrasive qualities.
Suggestion for those who do not like to use animal products?

I do not have linen strop at all so I cannot do the test.

Acrually we do need a strop made of leather-like material to align the edge. The linen has a different function. However, I'm sure there is a synthetic material that would do the trick. I had that on my mind as well. I'd like to hear Tony's take on that. He may even want to carry it for vegetarian and vegan customers.

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

The linen has a different function.

For the sake of the argument: does it?

I once read on this forum that even leather has abrasive qualities as it contains silicium. I think there is a very thin line between realigning and removing metal. I am convinced that also the leather takes some metal off the edge. Just like the contiuous "pounding" of water drops on a stone wil eventually create a concavity in the stone. So, even a drop of water removes a minute quantity of stone.

Linen (Flax) and Canvas (Hemp) are two most used materials for the "other" side of the strop. They have unique properties for maintaining and preparing the edge for the leather strop.

Flax fiber properties:
When adequately prepared, linen has the ability to absorb and lose water rapidly. It can gain up to 20% moisture without feeling damp. When freed from impurities it is highly absorbent and will quickly remove perspiration from the skin.

It does not stretch and is resistant to damage from abrasion.

Linen is relatively easy to take care of since it resists dirt and stains, has no lint or pilling tendencies and can be dry cleaned, machine washed or steamed.

It can withstand high temperatures and only has some moderate initial shrinkage.

Due to its strength, in the Middle Ages linen was used for shields and gambeson.

Irish linen is the best wrap of pool/billiard cues, due to its absorption of sweat from hands.

Paper made of linen can be very strong and crisp, which is why the United States and many other countries print their currency on paper that is made from 25% Linen and 75% Cotton.

Hemp fiber properties:

70% of the Cannabis plant's total weight is made up of the 'hurd' or woody inner core.

The silica leached from soil by the plant combined with unslaked lime (calcium oxide) forms a chemical bond similar to cement which is both fire and waterproof.

It was used to make the first pieces of fabric ever found and was therefore also used as the first material for paper. It was used to make canvas, and the word itself is derived from cannabis.

Hemp rope is notorious for breaking due to rot. Hemp rope rots from the inside out, and thus the rope looks good until it breaks. Hemp rope used in the age of sail was protected by tarring.


Nenad

p.s. hope I didn't pest the forums too much, but I believe this info will be beneficial for it's members.

No, it was quite an interesting piece of reading. Thanks for sharing, Nenad. Here in Canada we are experimenting with industrial hemp. Ironically that's what they tried to prevent when they made it illegal. Do you have any info on the oil content per acre? The reason I am interested is that Biodiesel is one of the ways we will have to make up for our diminishing oil reserves. That will also revive our agriculture.

Nenad,
I think you will find much on the canvas made today in the USA is actually cotton now. We use the word canvas now to imply a certian type of cloth....coarse weave, thick and stiff no matter the material. Just like "linen" you will find strops with cotton, real linen, silk, etc....for that cloth side of the strop. Many of our words have strayed from the original intent and are just generic names now.

Tony

It's funny how far these threads wander, develop and stray.


I think the first post started with why one of my paddles did not have linen like a hanging strop does and that was mainly because it is designed for a different purpose.....use of pastes.

We have debated the use of linen for years, do we need it, what does it do, etc..... We have acepted through tradition it is useful and for the most part will only buy strops with linen. Very few of my customers will buy one without linen.

Do we need it? Maybe, maybe not. It seems to be one of those discussions that makes newbies worry whether they are making a big mistake if they don't do exactly as we say. Just like the thread on waxed linen.....instant panic...I bought a strop with plain linen!! We should be careful in these discussions that our experimenting is not taken as the only way things should be. There is much variation in what works. For instance in strops. My strops, Dovos, Jemicos, Illinois, etc... are all different. Each will strop your razor well. Is one really "best", hard to say. We each like or believe different things and that is why there is variety. None are wrong, none are perfect. Same goes with hones, razors, strops, brushes, etc... There are dozens on the market, each designed with a little different though, all, for the most art will work fine.

We enjoy these discussions but we should remember to make it clear our ideas are just that, ideas, not fact for the most part.

Okay, my thoughts on stropping. I got ready for yesterdays shave, got my nice 6/8 TI Leaf & Vine razor out and remembered it needed a little touch up. I gave it 15 passes on 0.25 micron diamond paste on a paddle, 10 passes on the leather side, 5 on the balsa side. I then had one of the best shaves I can remember from that or any razor. Once finished I remembered........I never stropped on plain leather. My great edge was right off of the paste.
It all works.

Tony

Tony do you find that balsa does better than just leather?
Where would you put it the stropping rotation.
By the way, I have been getting GREAT results from your 4 side paddle with the 1, .5, and .25 diamond pastes. Thanks so much! Great product, makes the blades sharp enough to put me if i just let them rest on bare skin. Love it