Thread: Palm honing

Something interesting happened yesterday.. kinda unfortunate, too. I am on a trip in the UK. Left a hotel in London yesterday and today I realized that I've left my strop behind. So that was kinda sad and now I'm in Brighton and I guess the leather is lost forever.

I also picked up a new coticule while in London.

So... This morning I needed a shave and I was eager to try out the stone. I took a razor that I knew was near shave ready anyway and gave it about 50 laps on the coti, on water. Lacking a strop, I first stropped on my palm a little, then stropped on my forearm, then palm stropped a bit more. I guess in relation to working on a stop, I've done about 30-40 laps equivalent, but on my own skin and went on to shave.

I was honestly very impressed. This is the first time I had to do this, obviously forced by my own stupidity in leaving the good strop behind. The shave clearly wasn't the smoothest out there (specifically the ATG pass), but the result was a very near BBS and no irritation whatsoever.

I don't mean to say this eliminated the need for a strop, on the contrary, but it does show me that palm/forearm stropping really works and when needed, could even replace a proper strop.

I could not see how palm stropping could take the place of a strop but I have been doing 5-10 strops on my forearm and it does make it smoother. Live and learn.

Originally Posted by Srdjan

I don't mean to say this eliminated the need for a strop, on the contrary, but it does show me that palm/forearm stropping really works and when needed, could even replace a proper strop.

I am glad to read what you wrote and, as a matter of fact, this is exactly what Mastro Livi told me since the day I met him for the first time: when properly done, palm or forearm stropping can replace a strop. And, as far as I can tell, this is absolutely true or, at least, it works wonderfully for me and my straight razors.

Originally Posted by Srdjan

Something interesting happened yesterday.. kinda unfortunate, too. I am on a trip in the UK. Left a hotel in London yesterday and today I realized that I've left my strop behind. So that was kinda sad and now I'm in Brighton and I guess the leather is lost forever.

I also picked up a new coticule while in London.

So... This morning I needed a shave and I was eager to try out the stone. I took a razor that I knew was near shave ready anyway and gave it about 50 laps on the coti, on water. Lacking a strop, I first stropped on my palm a little, then stropped on my forearm, then palm stropped a bit more. I guess in relation to working on a stop, I've done about 30-40 laps equivalent, but on my own skin and went on to shave.

I was honestly very impressed. This is the first time I had to do this, obviously forced by my own stupidity in leaving the good strop behind. The shave clearly wasn't the smoothest out there (specifically the ATG pass), but the result was a very near BBS and no irritation whatsoever.

I don't mean to say this eliminated the need for a strop, on the contrary, but it does show me that palm/forearm stropping really works and when needed, could even replace a proper strop.

You should contact the Hotel you stayed at 7 tell them you left your strop. Many will mail it back to you!

Originally Posted by engine46

You should contact the Hotel you stayed at 7 tell them you left your strop. Many will mail it back to you!

Eh.. maybe... I will probably give them a call tomorrow. But the truth is, I am so busy these days, I feel for my own piece of mind (which is already quite disturbed) I can't deal with another chore. It was a great strop, horse hide, but really cheap. I feel it's almost not worth the time and the trouble [emoji20] ... also gives me an excuse to contemplate on getting a Kanoyama.

Your helpful suggestion is, of course much appreciated, no matter what.