Thread: Lines in strop

Guys, I am wondering if anyone else get lines in their strops when using the leather side. When I strop it looks like my strop is getting scratched by something sharp. I am wondering if It me or something in the strop. I am using a 3"SRD red latigo. Thanks for any help you can give me.

It's you,,,, I have done the same myself,,,, if your razor is a spike point or close to it, then you reallly have to take care with your strokes, watch out not to raise the heel of the razor, this presses the toe into the leather.

Try keeping the hand holding the razor with your elbow raised a bit. Also if your razor has a slight hook end on the heel that can do it and it may not be obvious.

Thank you for bringing up this problem that a lot of folks have.

Hirlau snd the Bigspender gave one good problem solutions.

You didn't say how far across the strop the scratches were from the near side.
If kinda far from the near side:
A razor that has been honed can and often does have a sharp end of the spine which is unnoticed. If yours does, a little work on the end of the spine at the hone line may reduce the problem.

Alternately, the shoulder at the tang can become very sharp and eat the near edge of your strop.

I found out the hard way on a fairly good strop it took a few razors to get my attention to the cause of the problems.Happy Shaves!
~Richard

Worked spines can be a bit of an issue on some strops if the carving is sharp.
My Kanayama strops always get marks from Dovo Bismarcks. No pun intended.

First step I would say is to run your fingers over the razor (avoiding the edge) and feel for anything resembling a harsh edge. I've done the same thing Hirlau has done. I think this is more likely to happen with an X stroke if you are using one, if so take all the advice given here about pressure and flatness on the leather.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Worked spines can be a bit of an issue on some strops if the carving is sharp.
My Kanayama strops always get marks from Dovo Bismarcks. No pun intended.

Funny, with my first strop a 2" Herold, I had a yen for a Fon razor which miraculously I did get, a Kinsyo. Lately I've noticed that A Frames Tokyo has gone a little haywire with his prices.

You could also have a tiny bur or something somewhere along the edge. Checking the edge with a loupe may find it.

Bob

Just had the same happen to me. It was a razor that my wife used on her legs so I put it under the lighted Loupe and sure enough it had a burr by the point. I re honed it back to 4k and up to 12k and it is fine now.

OP: Valid question, I'm glad you posted it because I run into the same problem quite often, and coincidentally with the same strop! (Although it happens to all of my strops). Not sure about you, but my scratches usually occur on the top left side of the strop, right at the point where I flip the razor to begin my downward stroke. (I hold the strop with my left hand, and the razor in my right). I think the scratches could be eliminated by refining the "razor flip", maybe this is what's happening with you. I know the razor can have a very sharp tip, especially after honing, but I feel that it's more technique than tools. On the plus side, at least with that SRD Red Latigo strop, the scratches easily palm rub out, worst case using a strop conditioner.