Thread: pressure or no pressure

Which is what I use most of the time!

Originally Posted by MBR1965

If you're keeping your blade sharp, then keep doing what you're doing. Variable tension in hanging strops is why a lot of guys recommend paddles (which don't give at all).

I have two words for you: bench strop

There is nothing like a 3" x 12" piece of leather (properly prepared, of course) sitting on top of an appropriately-sized 2x4, for stropping a razor. No more worries about "Am I holding the strop taut enough?", or "Am I applying too much (too little) pressure?", or "Does this make my @$$ look big?" Nope, with a bench strop it's easy-peasy (and the same is true for pasted strops, whether felt or leather).

As a test, just lay your hanging strop down on the edge of a table, and see how easy it is (and how much better the results).

As a heavy handed person as far as pressure goes and limited space for a bench strop in my bathroom I have devised the following:

Took my hanging strop, cut a piece of 1/4" fiber board the width of the strop by about three inches shorter than the length and placed it between the leather and the line. It's held by a Velcro strap top and bottom. A hanging bench strop. I have concentrated on pressure and now have a whisper like touch on the strop and razor.

Generally very light to no pressure is advised. But we all do things a little bit different and if you find that your method works well I won't tell you to stop doing it. You could experiment with different amounts of pressure to find out what works best for you.

i find it also depends on the razor. Just another of the many variables.
i have had a few newbies lately apply too much pressure and actually dull newly honed razors. Only takes less than 5 minutes on the finishing stones and strop to fix them back to shaving sharp, but it can be frustrating for those who dull them and then not keep getting good shaves. That leads to discouragement and giving up too soon. Some things just take time and practise to get right.
And yes - i also personally prefer paddle strops even after over 30 years of using straight razors.
Regards,
Adam

If I recall correctly, in one of the old barber textbooks published by the Milady company, it was recommended to "use just enough pressure to feel some draw." It seems like good advice to me.

Bingo, just enough to feel draw.

Yes, there must be some draw on the edge or you are just polishing your spine.