Thread: Stropping technique

Hi guys,

I've been using a straight razor for a few years; no real problems. I have a Dovo 5/8, a Norton waterstone, and a Dovo XL - the extra wide strop. I don't recall the grit of the waterstone, but it's a finishing grade. I generally hone my razor as and when I feel it's required, which is probably once or twice a year, and I strop around 80 times before I shave.

Now as I said, I don't really have any problems with my shave, but I was curious about a couple of things. Most people use standard strops, which are narrower and require an X movement - that's not required on the XL, and obviously it's only advantage over any other strop. When stropping, there is a very slight arch, so that the middle of the blade does not make full contact at the end of the strop. The strop is leather, and I occasionally treat it to a bit of olive oil, and a rub down with a glass bottle; I have no fabric or pasted strops.

I've never had a razor stropped by anyone else, so I can only assume it's OK; is it worth adding anything to my routine, or trying a thinner strop with an X motion?

Originally Posted by Grenage

Hi guys,

I've been using a straight razor for a few years; no real problems. I have a Dovo 5/8, a Norton waterstone, and a Dovo XL - the extra wide strop. I don't recall the grit of the waterstone, but it's a finishing grade. I generally hone my razor as and when I feel it's required, which is probably once or twice a year, and I strop around 80 times before I shave.

Now as I said, I don't really have any problems with my shave, but I was curious about a couple of things. Most people use standard strops, which are narrower and require an X movement - that's not required on the XL, and obviously it's only advantage over any other strop. When stropping, there is a very slight arch, so that the middle of the blade does not make full contact at the end of the strop. The strop is leather, and I occasionally treat it to a bit of olive oil, and a rub down with a glass bottle; I have no fabric or pasted strops.

I've never had a razor stropped by anyone else, so I can only assume it's OK; is it worth adding anything to my routine, or trying a thinner strop with an X motion?

Olive oil (or any food type oil for that matter) isn't the best thing in the world for a strop. I found this interesting and helpful-

"Although leather does indeed become a little suppler after applying olive oil, this instant gratification comes with a price. Olive oil, and every oily substance for that matter, will not “nourish” your leather, but actually accelerate its deterioration.Leather is extremely permeable, and will soak up any oils you put on it. When oil first saturates leather, it seeps to the back—to the part you can’t see. Eventually, the oil ends up spreading throughout the leather and naturally resurfaces. Once this happens, your leather will have unsightly oil spots.


Additionally, oil-saturated leather will give off a salad-like scent, meaning that it won’t work to ward off existing odors.
Whenever you use olive oil to treat a leather problem, you will always be trading instant gratification with the long-term health of your leather.
For leather treatments, don’t always trust what you read on the internet. Stick to products designed especially for leather or take your leather to a professional. The quick, cheap olive oil “fix” renders a much higher cost in the end."

Tony Miller (the "other" strop making Miller in Maryland) recommends NO oil or treatment on his strops. I have two (Bridle and steerhide). Never seen the need to put anything on them but a razor....

The only thing I would change would be use neatsfoot oil instead of the olive oil. As far as the rest of your routine.......if it ain't broke don't fix it!

An oil like olive oil over time will turn rancid within the strop.

Most will tell you X stropping is the preferred method no matter how narrow or wide your strop is. That method simply provides better coverage to all blades.

I have only used a 3" strop and still use an Xstroke also, it just does need to be as wide a stroke as a narrow strop thats all. but should still be used regardless of strop width to ensure full & even edge working

I am not sure what it is you are describing with your strop, Are you talking about Cupping of the leather?

Even if it is cupping, the razor should flatten it enough to make complete contact. Please post a photo of the problem.

If you have not use linen or substitute to clean your blade before stropping, you should check your strop for dirt.

Take a clean dry paper towel and fold into quarters and briskly rub the strop. If a lot of grit comes off you may want to clean it.

A few drops of a good leather conditioner/cleaner on a folded paper towel and some brisk rubbing until you have a clean towel when wiped.

A linen strop or substitute of Canvas, cotton or polyester, fabric or nylon or Poly webbing will work to clean, polish and align the edge prior to leather stropping.

Hey guys, thank you for the replies.

I became a vegetarian shortly after getting into shaving, so things like neatsfoot oil I'd like to avoid - I figured the strop would probably last forever if I looked after it. Would rubbing the leather with my hands for a couple of minutes before a shave impart enough oil, do you think?

The cupping is really minor, and only at the ends of the strop; I guess I should stop being lazy and learn to strop the traditional X. While I do keep the strop clear of debris, I'll see if I can get a basic canvas strop.

Thank you!

Kind of on this topic, how important are oils for the strop? I have an english leather IV from SRD, but have never applied any oil. I just run my hand over it to warm it up.

Ian, keep doing that. Rub till it feels slightly warm. The residual oils from your hand are all that is needed. Some people, who feel their hand isn't sufficient will first rub their hand on their forehead where they might pick up additional oil. Hand rubbing is enough.

Vintage linen really adds to the edge IMO. I have a couple of them including a waxed linen that I always use. I didnt think much about the linen until a friend insisted! And I gave in and he was right. You can find these on the bay, the leather may not be in good shape but that linen will really add to the whole thing IMO. As far as oils for strop, I added some neetsfoot to a Big Daddy and killed the draw, I added lather repeatedly until it came back. I only use my hand now, and occasionally drop some lather on and wipe off with a barely damp cloth.