Thread: Help with stropping techniques

Hey, I've been straight razor shaving for a little while now. I get decent enough shaves to walk out the door but haven't gotten up AT yet my issue is with stropping and I'm not sure if it's a problem or not. I don't want it to worsen or develop issues later but my audio feedback is inconsistent. I hold the strop fairly taught along resting the blade on the strop with no pressure. Sometimes I will get audio feedback akin to a sword being drawn from a sheath, other times like the razor is simply being dragged across and on occasion barley anything at all. Once again, I hold the strop fairly taught with no dip and apply no pressure. My second concern is in regards to flipping on the spin. Now I know how it'sssupposed to be done and I've wwatched numerous videos but can't seem to reliability grasp the technique. I usually end up lifting the razor completely off the strop, flip and back on again to repeat the process. Is it something you get accustomed to with practice?

Take the proper techniques and practice practice practice. It will come. No need to go as fast as you can. There is no reward for going fast but the reward for slow and steady is a fine shave. My 2¢.

Welcome to the forum!! Glad you've joined in.

Lifting the razor off the strop isn't a good idea, or good technique. The spine should stay in contact with the strop. Rather than trying to type it all, look through this thread and you'll find answers, videos and help on most all of your questions.

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

Best Regards,

Howard

Audio feedback can vary from strop to strop and razor to razor. Often times you get no audio feedback.

Watch the videos and don't lift the razor off the strop while stropping.

Stropping is just one of those things that seems very straightforward and easy but in fact isn't because it takes coordination which comes with practice. it is important to learn the correct way because bad habits are hard to break.

Welcome to SRP and the str8 razor shaving community!

Try laying your strop on a counter top until you develop proper technique, it will also save ruining the edge. Practice with a butter knife with the strop hanging to develop proper technique and establish muscle memory plus it will help prevent cutting your strop. As mentioned before take your time, there is no rush. Str8 razor shaving has a large learning curve, it doesn't come over night.

Happy Shaving!

One thing you may want to try:

Since you don't have your location listed, we can't give any possibilities, but if you got to the top of the site and drop down the menu under the "Community" link, then select "Member List", you can see where all of our members are located. It might be wise to see if any are near you and could give you some tips and feedback in person... you will learn WAY more in a MUCH shorter period of time than just reading things here. This is applicable for all facets of shaving with a straight.

Likewise, if you post your location, maybe one of our members near you could chime in?

It's like rolling a pencil in the fingers. Those are great videos . There are two sounds when stropping. Put the spine only on the strop. Move the razor's spine back and forth. The deep, low sound of the spine is clear. Strop and the added higher frequency sound of the edge is present. Listen carefully. If both sounds are not present you are screwing up the razor's edge.