Thread: A curious observation..

Its not a pyramid, its very common. Transitioning from leather to linen is a common method for better stropping. The linen creates gross alignment the leather fine alignment. They work best when used together, thus the typical strop design. Some guys believe it doesn't help (the linen) at all but you'll note in the barbers manuals they say "it depends on your honing abilities".

Your not crazy at all.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Its not a pyramid, its very common. Transitioning from leather to linen is a common method for better stropping. The linen creates gross alignment the leather fine alignment. They work best when used together, thus the typical strop design. Some guys believe it doesn't help (the linen) at all but you'll note in the barbers manuals they say "it depends on your honing abilities".

Your not crazy at all.

The only reason I call it a type of pyramid is that I go back and forth (linen/leather/linen/leather) in one session right before I shave. Just as someone might take a 4k/8k Norton and do a 1-3,1-5, I'm taking both sides of the strop and do a 10-10,10-20.

Right, the back and forth part is good. A descending set isn't needed.

It all sounds like a little much to me but I suppose if it works for you then its good. Maybe if I put my straights under a pyramid they will hone up by themselves, what do you think eh?

It absolutely produces a better shave. Robert Williams mentioned the technique to me a few years ago, and I am sooooo glad he did. It is particularly helpful to me after several shaves when the razor stops responding well to leather alone.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

It all sounds like a little much to me but I suppose if it works for you then its good. Maybe if I put my straights under a pyramid they will hone up by themselves, what do you think eh?

Yeah, the mystical aliens that built the pyramids are great at honing up razors, you should try it sometime

Originally Posted by steve

Yeah, the mystical aliens that built the pyramids are great at honing up razors, you should try it sometime

They've got to keep those grey heads nice and smooth somehow.

Well, I did admit it might be coincidence so I'm not saying I've stumbled onto any new stropping revelation.

All I know is that if I were to do 1 set of passes on each side, I get a certain result. If I do 2 sets I seem to get better results. As to it being too much trouble, it takes me about 2 minutes or less so I don't really go through too much additional trouble.

At any rate, thanks for the input guys.