Thread: Do you turn your wrist...?

I found a document in the SRP library under "Documents" titled "1961 Barbering Text - Honing". I dont know how to post the link here so I will just quote what I found very valuable to me in helping with my stroping technique:

"The razor is held with thumb on top of the shank and rolled in the hand without moving the wrist. This not only makes for equal pressure on both strokes, but also makes the act more graceful and easy.
First learn to turn or flip the razor by holding it in one position without making the strokes.
After this act has become easy, proceed with the strokes slowly, as illustrated in....."

I realized I had been "turning my wrist", thus resulting in poor technique, causing me to tilt the razor occasionally while stroking. Hah-Hah! I got out my Feather, took out the blade, and began practising this technique. Instead of my thumb on the shank, I used my index finger(I'll try the thumb next time). I hold the scales in my fingers, with the back of my hand facing upwards, flipping with the finger next to my little finger(don't know what it's called) as I end each stroke. After about 150 practice passes, I had more control and I was no longer tilting the blade. The blade remained flat throuout all of my passes.

I can't tell you what this has done for my stroping technique, and I hope this helps any of you improve your stroping.

I feel this is so important! There is nothing worst than bringing a sharp razor in to the bathroom and ruining the shave by stroping improperly.

Are any of you turning your wrist while flipping your blade? - and is it successful for you? Any other suggestions that you use to keep your blade flat?

Steve

Noooo flippy flippy wristy.

I did notice that towards the bottom of my stroke, I was lifting the blade slightly to the off side of the strop - so I now tilt the strop a little as I am coming down it to compensate. Having said that I have (so far ) never dulled an edge stropping.

Si

If I strop quickly, I do flip the wrist very slightly but if I strop slowly I can concentrate on flipping the razor instead of my wrist.

Originally Posted by Sunsi

Noooo flippy flippy wristy.

I did notice that towards the bottom of my stroke, I was lifting the blade slightly to the off side of the strop - so I now tilt the strop a little as I am coming down it to compensate. Having said that I have (so far ) never dulled an edge stropping.

Si

Sunsi,

I, also, found I was lifting the tip on my downstroke, so I tilted the strop to compensate, too. Does anybody ever discuss the height of the strop where it's hooked in to the wall? I would think that would effect the smoothness, or lack of, your stroke. I lowered mine so my 1st stroke was going slightly down. It helped!

Originally Posted by zepplin

Does anybody ever discuss the height of the strop where it's hooked in to the wall? I would think that would effect the smoothness, or lack of, your stroke. I lowered mine so my 1st stroke was going slightly down. It helped!

I've hung my strop from waist level up to head height with no difficulty because I don't flip my wrist. Just alter my shoulder position and all goes well.

X

Originally Posted by xman

I've hung my strop from waist level up to head height with no difficulty because I don't flip my wrist. Just alter my shoulder position and all goes well.

X

I got it! ...like adjusting your shoulders to a downhill or uphill lie when hitting a golf ball.

Thanks,

Steve

Originally Posted by zepplin

I got it! ...like adjusting your shoulders to a downhill or uphill lie when hitting a golf ball.

Thanks,

Steve

Just be more careful with stropping. Wouldn't want to shank off something important. LMFAO>

Originally Posted by Jonedangerousli

Just be more careful with stropping. Wouldn't want to shank off something important. LMFAO>

You know, my friend, that is the second time you have used that nasty, nasty word to me: S***k! I'm not even gonna spell it, cause it is really a bad word in the golf world. BTW, I haven't done that since I was a teenager; and that was before DIRT.

Steve

Steve,

I didn't realize I'd posted the s-word to you both times. My apologies.

One of my regular foursome has a tendency to hit one off the hosel on occasion. I have done it a few times but fortunately have never gotten a full blown case.

I'll try to be more sensitive in the future. J..

I don't turn the wrist when I strop, and I don't use the same finger on the shank for forwards and backwards strokes. When going away from me my thumb is on the top edge of the shank and when coming towards me the inside of my pointer finger is on the top edge. It makes my flips slower, I think, but it's the only way I've yet come up with to keep the razor moving against the draw. I'm getting another strop soon, so perhaps then I'll be able to use the thumb on top in both directions...

James.