Thread: Stropping up versus down

I am using a IRS #361 leather strop. I find that I get more drag when stropping up rather than down. Also, when stropping down, I am more likely to get a scratchy sound. I have concluded that this about the grain of the leather, but I also wondered if it could be about the pressure I am applying.

If it is about the grain, do I need to adjust my pressure to compensate?

any thoughts out there?

Bill

It would help a little to adjust the pressure, but I've always thought that would be kind of a pain. Do you have trouble with your shaves?

My shaves feel pretty good and the razor consistently manages the HHT well.

Perhaps a dumb question, but can you confirm that the leather has a grain? If so, is it usual to get that scratchy sound when go with the grain, but not against? Also, based on feel, there is more drag when going in the direction of hanging end towards the anchored end (ie bottom to top)

I have ignored the sound difference and focussed on maintaining equal pressure based on manual feedback - wondered if others get this experience of sound difference and drag difference as well.

Bill

Tony is the one to answer that. I do not get that sound variance, but I'm told some strops do.

Originally Posted by Twilliger

My shaves feel pretty good and the razor consistently manages the HHT well.

Perhaps a dumb question, but can you confirm that the leather has a grain? If so, is it usual to get that scratchy sound when go with the grain, but not against? Also, based on feel, there is more drag when going in the direction of hanging end towards the anchored end (ie bottom to top)

I have ignored the sound difference and focussed on maintaining equal pressure based on manual feedback - wondered if others get this experience of sound difference and drag difference as well.

Bill

Leather does have a grain. It is obvious with suede but still there with top grain leather.

I have heard it recommended that you should increase pressure slightly when going down the strop or with the grain and let up slightly when going against. I can't remember where I heard it though so take it with a grain of salt. When stropping I don't worry about it figuring that a good strop with nice draw probably takes care of this without me worrying about it.

You might have heard that from me. I recommended that in regards to the IRS Russia strop.

Scott