Thread: Too heavy of draw damaging edge?

Originally Posted by bobski

At the end of the day the question of a heavier draw causing razor edge damage is about the amount of force/weight required to bring the razor from end to end. If it's a heavier draw, the more likely you are going to damage the edge. As always the answer is simple. Kanayama #70000, #80000,

I disagree. An expensive strop is not the answer any more than amount of draw.
It is technique which is key.
As Glen reported above, newer stroppers sometimes get better technique and results with lighter draw.
THAT, I can agree with.

Conclusion: The reason the edge was having these anomalies is not because of poor stropping technique, not because of anything on the strop or the need for a lighter strop. It is because of the amount of passes I was doing on an edge that was honed below the correct geometry therefore not having enough structure to withstand the abrasion of the heavy draw.

The problem has been addressed by adding two layers of tape creating a steeper angle giving the edge strength. After honing two blades and stropping them both with the same number of passes as before the edge looks and shaved wonderfully! Again thank you Gssixgun!

Thank you everyone for your thoughts I did learn a lot about what to look out for in the future...

Originally Posted by bobski

At the end of the day the question of a heavier draw causing razor edge damage is about the amount of force/weight required to bring the razor from end to end. If it's a heavier draw, the more likely you are going to damage the edge. As always the answer is simple. Kanayama #70000, #80000,

Funny you mention those two strops, I just received both of those last week. My wife and I have had construction being done in our place so I have not broke them out yet lol... In hand they feel so luxurious

Originally Posted by sharptonn

I disagree. An expensive strop is not the answer any more than amount of draw.
It is technique which is key.

Ah! So honing technique! I always say you can never strop too much.
Glad you have it sorted!

My everyday is the #70000, and I have my #80000 next to it on a hook in its cover. ( and another brand new #70000 in its original box in the cupboard in case) Once a week or fortnight, I give the #80 a rub and strop one on it as they improve with use. I'm not going to stir up a hornets nest by saying they need breaking in, but, my Kanayama #70000 is slick, mirror like, now a year old, not a mark on it and it's divine to use. I've mentioned 'strop discipline ' before, and reaffirm that a better quality Cordovan strop like a Kanayama commands respect, and I am certain you are less likely to nick, cut, a better quality strop, than an eBay special. Not elitist or money, just better quality. You are a better stropped with a Kana!

Draw is just something you have to get used to no matter if its heavy or light. As always razor position on the strop is what makes or breaks a stropping session. Find what you can live with. I like heavy draws but like Glen mentioned if it impedes your control over the stropping motion its not going to do you any good and possibly fry your edge. I use 2 strops mostly these days a heavy draw latigo from SRD and a Tony Miller heirloom No.2 which is super fast. Both do the same job as long as I do the job right.

My first strop was a no name 2 inch thing I wrecked in pretty short order. It was cheap,mand when I replaced it with a Russian Dovo 80mm wide thing that had no 2nd side, it was more expensive than a Kanayama #10000. I went to Latigo, heavy draw. Then a few years ago I did buy a Kanayama, and it was easy to see and feel that these were what I was looking for. I'm of the view that the less pressure applied at any stage of the whole process the better universally, things are. So the slick draw of my Kanayama's give me the ultimate feather touch I look for. I can't get my head around feather light finishing strokes on a super fine jnat, then running it on a heavy Latigo bit of leather. If heat is generated in this process as it can on the heavy bovine strops, it can't be good for the razor. Just my view.

No matter what brand, no matter what draw, stropping and edge retention is all about technique, period. I poor technique leads to a poor edge, it has nothing to do with brand or draw. It's in your hand, unless you think an expensive strop makes it all better, in which case it's all in your head.

Well-said, Rez. Right from the 'Big Dog'!

It seems I'm missing something I need to try me a Kanayama.