Thread: First time stropping

I just recently got my SR set as of Dec.24, it came shave ready from SRD. My first straight razor shave was yesterday,and no I didn't require stitches. Now I know why this is so addicting! I have never had so much fun shaving. Anyway, to make a long story short I stropped my razor before I shaved today. I done 25 trips on the canvas side,and then done 45 or so on the leather. Almost forgot to say that this is a latigo strop.

Question to all you straight razor veterans, does this number count sound about right to you all?
Thank you all in advance.

I would suggest that you avoid the canvas side until you are mastering the correct stropping movement and pressure. The leather side is enough to keep the blade sharp.
At the beginning I suggest that you keep extremely light pressure and compensate with more passes.
Personally I make 20 strops after shaving, 20 strops before shaving and 10 strops between shaving passes. Leather only.
If you carefully listen to the blade noise while stropping, you'll realize the change in sound that tells you that it's done, then a few more passes and it's finished.

Some info about stropping


http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...st-2012-a.html

As a general rule is 25/50 Linen/leather

Hey Partner, I'm with Sterm. Listen and feel what your blade is doing on the strop and you'll learn that it is not counting strokes but a certain feel and sound. It is your razor and your strop, enjoy them as well as the experience and you'll learn how much is enough.

Regards

Chasmo