Thread: noob question

Ok, realy noob question for everyone. I think that I'm stropping wrong. Maybe lifting the spine. I'll pay closer attention. But the question is, is it possible to apply too little pressure when stropping? Also, I'm thinking about buying a microscope to assist in learning to hone, is there something that i can look for with a microscope to tell me if I'm stropping correctly?

Thanks for any help you can give

I can't tell you if it's possible to strop too lightly. I have no idea.

As for the microscope. I use a Radio Shack 60-100x. You can get them for around $10. In fact, I was just using it after stropping tonight.

Originally Posted by custommartini

Ok, realy noob question for everyone. I think that I'm stropping wrong. Maybe lifting the spine. I'll pay closer attention. But the question is, is it possible to apply too little pressure when stropping? Also, I'm thinking about buying a microscope to assist in learning to hone, is there something that i can look for with a microscope to tell me if I'm stropping correctly?

Thanks for any help you can give

I suppose if the purpose of stropping is to realign the abraded edges of the razor, then the idea is to apply enough pressure without over or misaligning these "teeth". Brendon, I've had fairly good luck with stropping and my method is to start out with slight more pressure than the weight of the razor aiming to hear that rasping sound and using less and less pressure (just the weight of the razor really) while still hearing that rasping sound. I would guess less pressure is better than more.


Justin

Yes its possible. The difference though between too light and just right isn't much and light strokes are important. When the edge isn't very sharp anymore you could make an argument for adding a dab of pressure to draw the edge more. You could make a better argument for light honing.

If the razor is sharp, truely sharp, a light touch should be fine. I find though that a "Feather light, no wieght" touch is a little too light, not much, but a little.

This problem can compound itself if you hold the strop ultra taught and this creates a bowing or ripple effect in the strop, thus with a light touch you can get some bounding effect. Like bouncing on a trampoline. The naked eye can not see this effect occuring, its very tiny.

So a light touch and a taught strop are essential, but it is possible to go over board in both directions a little. Its hard, but its possible. Keep the strop taught and use a little touch of pressure and you should, if the razor, is truely sharp, be able to "feel" the stropping/drawing sensation. With some strops you can even eliminate sharpness testing by just feeling the draw.

If you use a light touch, which you should, and you start shaving and you don't feel the edge as smooth as you remember yesterday, your first inclination should be to strop again adding a dab, just a dab of pressure, and adding more strokes. You should also consider using the linen first if you have it for added alignment support.

Adding too much pressure though is pretty easy, so be careful.

If you are lifting the spine, that is a problem. Focus more pressure on the spine to keep it in contact with the strop. Focus less pressure on the edge letting it trail behind the spine. And as mentioned, keep your strop taught.

In general, you should use enough pressure to keep the razor flat and in contact with the strop. And, using enough pressure to get some resistance between the razor and strop is good too. If you are just tickling the strop with your razor, you are probably not doing much.

I think you will learn a lot by experimenting with different degrees of pressure and noting the results.

Scott

If the razor is off the leather then it's probably too light, otherwise it's unlikely. Like Alan said, you're really looking for a very light touch. If you can plainly feel the draw you might be using too much pressure. If you can barely feel it and are unsure if it's enough, then you've probably got it right.

X

What I do is initially use basically no pressure to the point that the draw on the strop is actually pulling the razor out of my hand and then increase the pressure until I have control of the razor in my hand. As X would say, just a tad of pressure.

I find just enough pressure to get 'that' sound get my best results (like tearing linen with a bit of metallic schwing).
Much more important for me and my rushing is making myself slow down and keep the spine on the strop and stropping with good form as well as good pressure

also, is it just me or do smaller i.e. 3/8" and 4/8" razors make less of 'that' sound?

Originally Posted by anselmo

also, is it just me or do smaller i.e. 3/8" and 4/8" razors make less of 'that' sound?

I've noticed that myself. Less metal = less resonance? Could be.


Scott

Thanks everyone, I backed off on my grip of the strop (was holding the thing taut with the grip of death) and the edge on my razor did seem to get somewhat better.