Thread: Stropping Technique

I have seached and seached and I cannot seem to get the answer I am looking for.

Here is the problem, after all of the reading that I have done I am trying to strop without pressure. I am using a TM red latigo strop and a full hollow 6/8 Dovo; I just cannot seem to get things to come together. I pull the strop very taught and let the razor lay on it naturally. Then I move it back and forth. There is no noise to be heard. I have noticed that the blade isnt really touching the strop. It is like the razor is riding on the spine alone. It is the same with the linen side as well. I can see that the blade comes off of the strop by about 1mm when I move it.

I am afraid of rolling the edge on my Lynn honed blade so I am trying to be as careful as possible.

What should I do?
What is wrong with my technique?
Should I be applying some pressure; how much?
Should there always be a scraping sound or is silent fine?
How can I keep this thing slicing hairs and not roll the edge?
If it does get rolled can it be fixed on a pasted strop or the linen side or must it be rehoned?

Thanks guys.

What are the dimensions of the razor and the strop? Look for whats called a stabilizing piece. That would be a vertical line of steel along the blade. Do you see anything on the side of the blade that would prevent it from laying flat?

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

What are the dimensions of the razor and the strop? Look for whats called a stabilizing piece. That would be a vertical line of steel along the blade. Do you see anything on the side of the blade that would prevent it from laying flat?

The strop is wider than the blade. I do not see anything that would prevent the blade from touching the strop. It is a Dovo Bismark if that helps. It feels like the draw on the spine is causing the blade to lift but I cannot be sure.

Thats strange. I'm not trying to insult you in any way but: the only way I can replicate what you are describing is by laying the shank of the blade on the strop at the same time as the blade. The shank is the part you hold the razor with. Is that a possibility? Move the blade over to the right some and only stroke 3/4 of the blade.

That is the only way I can get a 1mm break between the strop and the blade edge.

If that is not the case than I can only suggest using a tad bit of pressure to hold the razor down. That seems even less likely but you may be being so timid with it that it really is drawing on the spine.

Have you looked at the spine to see if it has any protrusions?

I'm off to work . . . sorry I couldn't be of more help.

To clarify, I am literally letting the weight of the blade do the work right now and I am doing the X-pattern. When I want to strop away from me I tighten the strop and angle it up and then hold onto the handle and let the weight of the blade pull it down the slop and then I angle it down and do the reverse way. Only the weight of the blade. Only holding the razor so it doesnt fall to the floor. My hold is more of a cupping action than anything. I just keep hearing weight of the blade so I took it literally and apply no pressure at any part in the whole stroping extraviganza.

Originally Posted by austinkroe

To clarify, I am literally letting the weight of the blade do the work right now and I am doing the X-pattern. When I want to strop away from me I tighten the strop and angle it up and then hold onto the handle and let the weight of the blade pull it down the slop and then I angle it down and do the reverse way. Only the weight of the blade. Only holding the razor so it doesnt fall to the floor. My hold is more of a cupping action than anything. I just keep hearing weight of the blade so I took it literally and apply no pressure at any part in the whole stroping extraviganza.

The weight of the blade is the way to go. However, if the edge isn't touching the strop, the weight of the blade won't work. Move the handle in such a way that the balance of handle versus razor allows the razor to touch the strop.

Well, I'm no expert but whenever I strop a hollow there is a scraping sound as the edge moves along the strop. There is also (usually - it's razor and strop-specific) a feeling of resistance (or draw).

You need to use enough pressure to ensure the edge and the spine are in contact with the strop through the whole motion. You should listen for the scrape and feel for the draw, and use no more pressure than is required for those things to occur.

The barber's manual in the archives shows a picture or two of how to hold and flip the razor when stropping. If I remember correctly it looks like they recommend keeping your thumb on the top side of the shank. This may help you keep both the edge and spine on the strop too.

In my experience you are more likely to round the edge by incorrect flipping of the razor at the end of each stroke - make sure the razor never leaves the strop and you flip it on its spine: don't lift the razor's spine off the strop. If you keep your thumb on the top of the shank, this means rolling the razor between thumb and pointer when you flip.

Go slowly and keep the strop taut. This stuff takes time and practice, and if you develop good technique to begin with, practice is more productive. So go slow. And good luck!

James.