Thread: Pressure on edge while stroping?

Go with the flow.

Remember some folks seem to do everything wrong or against the general advice and yet they get the result they want. However that doesn't mean it's the right way for you. Learn to do it without pressure and when you become proficient then you can go off on your own and experiment.

...and as a hint for sorting through all the info, you'll see posts by people who have 1000's of posts and some by those with very few. As a general rule, I focus on the posts of those that have the most experience.

However, the learning curve really can't be shortened, so reading (and watching videos from SRP or buying and watching Lynn's DVD for $20) is one of the shortcuts, such as it is. There are years of discussions linked to the "Google custom search" box at the top right of this page.

Keep at it!

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.

Here's a good start: http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...ght=Stroptober

Many good videos here.

Many welcomes, Chris. Welcome to SRP! Read the library as well.

Enjoy the journey.

Things not to do :

Apply too much pressure anywhere.
Let your anchor hand move around. ( I usually keep my elbow against my ribs. The strop won't move unless I do. )
Lift the razor off the strop as in the 2nd video you linked to from AoM.

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.

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.