Thread: Stropping Notes-1961 Barbers Manual

I've spent some time revisiting the barbers manual from 1961. I can only imagine how cool it would be to actually have taken that class. Anyway, I noted the student, whoever that might be, took notes in the margin of the book. Many of these are unreadible but three stand out that I find interesting. In the margin on the section on stropping are some interesting notes. One is what I interpret to be "the estimated number xxxxxxxx is 15 times of the razor" and "the length of the stropping stroke should be from 6-10 inches" and finally "the razor should remain in contact with the strop at all times".

Those first two are kind of interesting.

One of the things I like about this document is the lack of reference to stropping with a light touch, insisting rather clearly that pressure is used but even given that pressure is used I'm surprised that a reference is made to a 6-10 inch stroke. Quite a bit less distance than I typically use myself.

Thats pretty neat!
I suspect the reason why some peoples edges hold for longer periods (2 months or longer) and some for a shorter period is most times directly related to whether or not you use some pressure when you strop! I've always used pressure when stropping and then lightened the pressure some with the finishing strokes. I usually get 3 to 4 months out of a razor before it is neccessary to touch it up, and many of my razors get more time than that before touch up! I usually strop 30 to 40 times on leather though. maybe I should do less stropping and see if I get longer lasting edges?

Jesus man! Where have you been? Yea, I've often wondered the same!

Alan,

those are interesting notes for sure. Do you have the ability to scan and post those pages? or are these the ones already in the library.

Do you interpret the 15 times of the razor comment to mean 15 strokes (round trips)?

Also, if I remember my barber manual (1950), it instructs to strop with ENOUGH pressure to create draw. I assume that might be different depending on razor and leather strop. But, it always seemed to me to fly in the face of current policy of no pressure stropping.

Thanks for posting this info, BTW.

Well, I'll also admit that I use pressure when I strop - I apply it with my thumb to the corner of the shank nearest the edge (on the up trip) and with the inside of my pointer finger on the return (same part of the shank).

I started doing it originally so I could feel the draw and get that "schhhickkk" sound as I strop. I'm also in that 15-20 round trip category. It's always seemed enough.

This is rather cathartic - My name is James, and I use pressure when I strop!

James.

Originally Posted by JMS

maybe I should do less stropping and see if I get longer lasting edges?

Nope.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/showt...and+experiment
http://straightrazorpalace.com/showt...and+experiment
http://straightrazorpalace.com/showt...and+experiment

X

"Do you interpret the 15 times of the razor comment to mean 15 strokes (round trips)?"



Yes, although I'm not sure why they would suggest that. That is about what I do.

Steve, they are in the library under Permanent Archive, Barbering Textbooks

Originally Posted by JMS

Thats pretty neat!
maybe I should do less stropping and see if I get longer lasting edges?

Not much reason to. Your already getting better intervals than what was accomplished in that experiment. But it wouldn't hurt anything either . . .

Originally Posted by xman

Nope.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/showt...and+experiment
http://straightrazorpalace.com/showt...and+experiment
http://straightrazorpalace.com/showt...and+experiment

X

I don't buy into the grand experiment! I might be wrong ,but I am willing to bet that anyone with more than 10 to 15 years of experience doesn't buy into it either! Experience and my own good common sense will guide me, not a couple of experiments that may or may not be based on a faulty approach. For instance, did he strop extremely heavy or extremely light, or was he overly fatigued at any point during his experiment causing different results than if he wasn't fatigued! I could go on and on but I think I made my point clear!!

I would like to add that I believe that only long practice, continual monitoring of ones results, and making adjustments as needed will you see what is needed to get the best results! Experiments are useful to give you a possible direction to go, but they are not the end all and be all! You need constant practice and watchfulness to find the best results!!