Thread: Pressure on edge while stroping?

Originally Posted by ace

If you are finger-flipping the blade while stropping, then pressure will naturally be minimal. Also, if you keep the strop fairly taut, with perhaps an inch of difference between the ends and the middle while stropping, it is hard to go wrong. For me, the really helpful part was learning to initiate the flip BEFORE the end of the stroke and start back as the flip is being completed. I never try to strop quickly, but even at my slow pace, 100 laps takes only about three minutes. I have time for that given the results I can get from it.

Most of this is the boat I am in,
I utilize a good chunk of the 20 or so inches available to me, only about 12 are doing any actual work.
I have gold washed spines that will attest to this.
But hey I buy tools to use and cherish, not cherish and display .....

Spine firmly on the strop at all times, put enough pressure to keep the razor in control, and speed kills.

Too fast, loss of control, and you'll get a nicked or cut strop and you'll potentially roll the edge of your blade and / or damage it.

I strop 20 linen 60 leather, before and after each shave.

Take your time, learning the fundamentals and good technique is key.

I think you only need to focus on one thought while honing and/or stropping, = FLAT

FLAT on the hone and FLAT on the strop will serve you well..................

For me with a 24" strop I pull enough to get the leather taut and enough pressure as to get no more than 1/2" drop during stropping. I hope that makes sense.

This is what I'm finding (as a beginner too):

1. The edge is so thin, fine, and delicate that I don't think much pressure is needed.
2. I find the spine is creating some drag on my new leather strop which causes the edge to lift, therefore I feel the need to apply some pressure or go slower (I have a 2 second cadence between laps, or 1 second each way).

Jake

Originally Posted by ace

I.....For me, the really helpful part was learning to initiate the flip BEFORE the end of the stroke and start back as the flip is being completed. I never try to strop quickly, but even at my slow pace, 100 laps takes only about three minutes......

I am fortunate to have a local mentor and he shared both of these points with me early on.. shortened my stropping learning curve and saved my strop from damage..

Pressure... I read a post here a while back that suggested pull the strop tight like it's being towed by a freight train and float the blade with the pressure of a flea... or something like that.

Works well for me.

Originally Posted by MikekiM

I am fortunate to have a local mentor and he shared both of these points with me early on.. shortened my stropping learning curve and saved my strop from damage..

Pressure... I read a post here a while back that suggested pull the strop tight like it's being towed by a freight train and float the blade with the pressure of a flea... or something like that.

Works well for me.

I just make sure that while taught, it's not overly taught to the point where it begins to cup.

Originally Posted by Siguy

I just make sure that while taught, it's not overly taught to the point where it begins to cup.

Agreed... The notion of the freight train is more subliminal than literal. For me, it reminds to keep the leather taught and pressure light.

Originally Posted by Siguy

I just make sure that while taught, it's not overly taught to the point where it begins to cup.

Well I'm not sure where the line is between being instructed and over taught. I was taught to keep my strop taut? How were you taught?

Originally Posted by Splashone

Well I'm not sure where the line is between being instructed and over taught. I was taught to keep my strop taut? How were your taught?

My folks just learned us,
and sometimes learned us good.