Thread: Just Discovered Palm Stropping

Palm Stropping it's amazing!!!

Or is it just me? Its really bringing a new level of sharpness to my straight razor. You guys probably already know this but here where I learned it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DX0AkmnVyU

Am I the only one who thinks this is a good way to end up in the ER?
Me, holding a bloody t-shirt to my hand: "I was palm-stropping?"
Dr.: "You were WHAT?! (Nurse, call psych services in for a consult").

Having said that, I know some guys do it and swear by it, so have fun with it-just no mis-strokes allowed!

By the way, I spent a lot of time in Dublin last summer (really all over Ireland). Loved the people and the pubs! You live in a beautiful country.

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

Am I the only one who thinks this is a good way to end up in the ER?
Me, holding a bloody t-shirt to my hand: "I was palm-stropping?"
Dr.: "You were WHAT?! (Nurse, call psych services in for a consult").

I had a friend that had an arrow explode as he was shooting it. It hit him in the wrist and base of the thumb. When he went to the ER they asked him what happened and he said "I shot myself."

He said he got very quick service!

I think that this technique is very similar to the macho showmanship with the loose strop, much loud noise, and slapping shows that are and have been displayed by barbers.

JMHO

Used while honing to quickly see the "true" Edge minus the sparklies = good idea

Used in place of Linen and Leather of a real strop = Not so good idea

thanks for sharing. i'll have to give it a try again.

The guy in the video is an old school Italian Barber. He indicated the practice is widespread among barbers and has been for atleast a couple of generations. He says that this doesn't replace using a strop, but is done before each pass, with very light pressure for a few times.

Here in the US, it's a common practice to palm strop PFTE Coated GEM razor blades when they are brand new, for use in a single edged safety razor, something I've done many times myself. The key is soft pressure and paying attention.

Put it this way…

I NEVER would recommend that a beginner palm strop. The reason is really (sorry England) bloody obvious. On the other hand, if you are a competent stropper and do not damage your strops, then you will not damage your strop either.

I have used it when traveling. I have used it after regular strops. I cannot say that I have noticed any improvement beyond a regular strop but I also don't think that it is of any harm to your razor and it might be of benefit.

Originally Posted by Pete123

The guy in the video is an old school Italian Barber. He indicated the practice is widespread among barbers and has been for atleast a couple of generations. He says that this doesn't replace using a strop, but is done before each pass, with very light pressure for a few times.

Here in the US, it's a common practice to palm strop PFTE Coated GEM razor blades when they are brand new, for use in a single edged safety razor, something I've done many times myself. The key is soft pressure and paying attention.

I don't doubt the legitimacy of doing it, and certainly Maestro Livi is one of the old school gurus of all things straights-I would just be afraid to myself. This kind of reminds me of the shower in my father in law's lake house in the highlands of Guatemala. There is an electrical contraption in the shower that you have to switch on to get hot water, but you have to do it a certain way that was translated to me...sort of...

First time I tried it, I felt a distinct tingle of electricity, and got out with the soap still on me! Though I was told "Everybody uses it-it's safe!" I was more like "Eff that, I'm not" and "showered" the rest of the week with a bucket at the outside spigot. They all thought I was weird (still do).

But then, hey-I guarantee you that almost everybody on this forum is considered weird just for doing that whole weird straight shavy thing by at least some of their friends, regardless of how they strop!

Great story!

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

This kind of reminds me of the shower in my father in law's lake house in the highlands of Guatemala. There is an electrical contraption in the shower that you have to switch on to get hot water, but you have to do it a certain way that was translated to me...sort of...

First time I tried it, I felt a distinct tingle of electricity, and got out with the soap still on me! Though I was told "Everybody uses it-it's safe!" I was more like "Eff that, I'm not" and "showered" the rest of the week with a bucket at the outside spigot. They all thought I was weird (still do).

But then, hey-I guarantee you that almost everybody on this forum is considered weird just for doing that whole weird straight shavy thing by at least some of their friends, regardless of how they strop!

I've heard about those showers in central and south America. It's a wonder more people don't get electrocuted. I've heard of getting little shocks during the shower.