Thread: Question about stropping.

I know how to strop but I'm wondering if the spine is affected from stropping the razor. Since you strop with the razor's edge and the spine flat against the leather.

-Thanks

I think Not.

Should not be unless abrasive stropping. Some spines will scratch a strop, though.

Over time the bit of the spine that touches might get a nice polish to it is about all really. Plain leather (canvas, linen, felt, nylon, etc) is not in and of itself abrasive, though of course repeated rubbing on or by anything will wear something away eventually.

If leather strops were white like linen you'd see some black residue (as I suppose people who use linen see) which indicates something is being worn off, but that's probably mainly from the edge as it bears the brunt of the action when shaving, and therefore is more susceptible to stropping wear than the spine.

Anyway, that's what I think...

James.

+1^ on James post. Steel is much harder than any untreated strop, and the impact on the spine would only be to shine it up!

I find that when I strop I place more pressure on the blade than on the spine. Just the way I hold the razor.