Thread: Stropping after Honing

Not sure if this should be in the honing forum or the stropping forum but here goes. I have read different opinions on stropping after honing. Some say linen then leather others say just smooth leather (no linen). What is all of your opinions?

Based on absolutely no logic, I have only been using Leather for the last couple of months, including post hone stropping. If I'm honest with myself, it's made no difference at all.

50 leather. No linen.

I find the linen too abrasive. What I mean is that if I just do leather strokes, that I feel like I can get a better sense of the edge from the stone. Then when it's shaving pretty, I'll go back for a linen/leather strop and it takes it up a notch.

Yep this is another one of those YMMV things that has no real answer, just what each person likes.. I gave up with showing the pics of the linen strops I use after honing to show all the metal embedded in them...
Some believe that the steel was just raped and needs the gentle caress of only soft leather and not the rough handling of linen




I don't know honestly, better yet, I don't really care what others do, I use both and it works for me for my reasons, I suggest you try both ways and make your own decision..

I have been using both and have been happy with the results. Recently have read alot of threads with people using leather only and it got me thinking.

I can say from my limited experience that taking them to my cotton strop first saves my leather from a lot of pain. I was getting some dark streaking on my leather strop going straight off the stones to leather.

After cleaning up the leather and reconditioning it, then going to the cotton first saves my strop needing cleaning so often. As all have said, that works for me! YMMV!

Sometimes you just have to try things and figure out what's best for you.

I have found I think it is smoother after going thru both the strops after honing. Also, that was what I was taught.

Good luck mate!!

M

I like linen followed by leather.
Some say their fresh honed edges are degraded by linen. I say strop lighter

After refreshing a blade, I just use leather. If it shaves well, I go back to 40/60. I'll probably do the same once I get back into honing... jumped in too soon and have been taking a break letting my shaving skills progress.

The last time I honed a razor, I went right to the shave. No strop. Always wanted to try but didnt do it until a friend recommended it. pretty nice results too.

Michael

I do not have linen, but I do have nylon webbing on my srd and the premium cotton on my walkin horse. I have tried various combos between my webbing and cotton then bridal, horse butt, and latigo. What I have found, and this is entirely my own opinion, is that I prefer 30 latigo 50 horse butt or bridal to using the webbing or cotton. I cant say that I have ever noticed a difference that I can feel by using the cotton or webbing before stropping in general and after honing is no different.

its been said before and it bears repeating YMMV!