Thread: Full hollow on linen

I was just wondering: is it OK to strop a full hollow 6/8 on the linen side?
I have done that with wedges and they seem to like it, but wouldn't the edge of a flexible 6/8 full hollow be damaged by the rough and bumpy linen?

Bruno,

I have a full hollow 5/8 Dovo and I use the linen on a Tony strop which is pretty thick. I've had no problems with it. Just be sure to use very light pressure.

Originally Posted by Bruno

I was just wondering: is it OK to strop a full hollow 6/8 on the linen side?
I have done that with wedges and they seem to like it, but wouldn't the edge of a flexible 6/8 full hollow be damaged by the rough and bumpy linen?

I have two 6/8 that I use regularly on line of my Tony Miller and have never had a problem. One is a Sheffield which is pretty soft steal, and the linen never hurt it.

No problems here either. The linen seems very forgiving of the steel.

X

I'm not sure what you mean by "bumpy." While linen, or canvas, certainly has a texture to it, the surface should feel relatively flat and smooth. If you run the flat of your palm over a linen strop you can feel the rougher texture, but you shouldn't feel any bumps. Does your strop have bumps?

Scott

Originally Posted by honedright

I'm not sure what you mean by "bumpy." While linen, or canvas, certainly has a texture to it, the surface should feel relatively flat and smooth. If you run the flat of your palm over a linen strop you can feel the rougher texture, but you shouldn't feel any bumps. Does your strop have bumps?

Scott

Sorry for that description.
There are no specific bumps, but when my palm slides acros the surface, it has a very explicit texture that is pretty rough.

I just wanted to be sure before I tried it, just in case I was about to undo 45 minutes worth of honing .

I do my razors on the linen and they're all full hollows.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Sorry for that description.
There are no specific bumps, but when my palm slides acros the surface, it has a very explicit texture that is pretty rough.

I just wanted to be sure before I tried it, just in case I was about to undo 45 minutes worth of honing .

That's good then. It should feel a little rough and should not cause any problem for your full hollow. Just keep the strop pulled taught.

Scott

I had the same worry. I angle my blade when I strop on linen so that the blade edge is not parallel with the ridges of the linen. When you strop this way on linen there is no characteristic rasping sound. I am also careful not to use pressure.
E

I strop my razor on linen every day using the exact same method I do on leather. My every-day razors are full hollow 6/8. I use a Tony Miller #1.