is this ok?

**admvalentine** · 02-11-2015, 04:49 AM

I have a thin 2 inch strop and i am no good at doing x strokes on a strop so i just start with the toe and strop straight and work twards the heal and back to the toe again i do lets say 30 laps on leather before shaving and 15-10 on fabric after shave followed by 20 maybe on leather. am I doing damage or is it ok

**SirStropalot** · 02-11-2015, 05:32 AM

Originally Posted by admvalentine

I have a thin 2 inch strop and i am no good at doing x strokes on a strop so i just start with the toe and strop straight and work twards the heal and back to the toe again i do lets say 30 laps on leather before shaving and 15-10 on fabric after shave followed by 20 maybe on leather. am I doing damage or is it ok

Well, it all depends....on.....how good your stropping pressure and technique is. I've always had problems with the x-stroke and have used your technique when having to use a less than 3" strop. It'll work if you don't over work one end of the razor over the other, or have a less than flat plane of the blade to the strop....causing the middle of the edge to get over worked.

Using a windshield wiper stroke could really help and is much easier than the x-stroke IMHO.

Here's a vid by Lynn and he touches on the windshield wiper stroke.

Regards,

Howard

**edhewitt** · 02-11-2015, 08:51 AM

I really would try and learn either an X or wiper stroke. Just take it slowly and you will get it, learning a bad habit to yet you over a hump is counterproductive in the long term.

**wayne394** · 02-11-2015, 04:18 PM

Practice without a razor. Use your forefinger as though pointing. Start at the bottom of the strop with your finger on it, imagining your finger at the knuckle end is the heel end of the razor. Your finger tip should then be hanging over the edge of the strop. Slowly draw your finger up the strop, drawing your hand away so that your whole finger crosses the strop and your fingertip comes in contact with the strop just after half way up the draw. Do the same in reverse back down the strop. Do this slowly. Concentrate on the pattern and pressure. Don't worry about speed.

Once you feel comfortable with the pattern you'll be in a position to try it with the razor. If you can't get the hang of it, bite the bullet and buy a 3" strop.

Good luck.

**admvalentine** · 02-12-2015, 01:09 AM

ill try it

**onimaru55** · 02-12-2015, 01:47 AM

op, can you flip the razor 180º without turning your wrist ? If you can I bet you could learn the x-stroke pretty easily. If you can't it's like patting your head & rubbing your tummy at the same time.

**JeffR** · 02-12-2015, 02:04 AM

Stropping the razor in sections like you describe will work fine. Flipping and x-strokes are simply more efficient and in the long run, easier.

**eddy79** · 02-12-2015, 10:40 AM

Best to learn the x stroke as if honing you will need to be able to do it. Even use a butter knife to practice. Remember you are really only moving over 1 inch down the length of the strop its not a exaggerated motion just a slight slide over

**admvalentine** · 02-20-2015, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by onimaru55

op, can you flip the razor 180º without turning your wrist ? If you can I bet you could learn the x-stroke pretty easily. If you can't it's like patting your head & rubbing your tummy at the same time.

No i can not, nor can i pat my head and Ron my tummy....

**onimaru55** · 02-20-2015, 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by admvalentine

No i can not, nor can i pat my head and Ron my tummy....

Well that's the overall problem then & not the x stroke or a 2" strop. Practicing the dexterity needed with the razor is crucial & it's only difficult at first. It's like rolling a pencil in your hand. Then you can manipulate the razor on the strop easily.

Watch the 2 vids at the bottom of this link.

Razor stropping - Straight Razor Place Library

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