Thread: Linen, or Canvas or Horsehide, OH MY!

After trading a few e-mails with Tony at TWG, I thought I would throw this out for discussion, and maybe learn a thing or three.

Canvas? Does it really do anything in the improvement of an edge? From my knife sharpening experience, after the stones, it helps a great deal to strop on leather. But, you can use almost any smooth surface and get the same result: paper/cardboard, fabric, wood etc. Ok a razor edge is a bit different, but after all, by definition, an edge is just two planes of metal meeting at an acute angle.

So, if I am going to strop on leather, why or how does using canvas add the the level of sharpness?

And also, how about the different leathers. Horsehide vs latigo. Is there a cost/benefit to one over the other? I'm wondering if there is empirical evidence to support any conclusion, other than subjective, anecdotal opinion?

And lastly, how about handles? D-rings, leather, or none at all? I would think none at all is asking for a sliced finger. Any opinions on this? I know it sounds dumb, but well, I'm a newb and need to ask the dumb ones before I can start asking the intelligent ones.

What say ye, oh wise whiskerless ones sitting at the foot of the great revered Buddah, up in the headwaters of the great Holy Ganges?

I have heard various theories on this. Some claim that the cloth acts as a mild abrasive and thus provides a slight honing effect. Others claim the primary purpose is to remove any corrosion that has occured on the edge. Still others state that stropping on the cloth heats the steel and thus makes it easier for the leather to align the edge. Like most things, it's probably a little of all of these.

There doesn't seem to be as much confusion on the purpose of stropping on leather. It polishes the edge, especially on a newly honed razor, and re-aligns an edge that has been deformed by shaving.

The efficacy of one type of leather over another is probably mostly in the mind of the individual. The type of handle or no handle at all is just a matter of personal preference. Most barber strops I have seen do not have a handle.

I don't think there is much "empirical" evidence that supports canvas vs. linen vs. leather only. Nor any on which leather is better. However, there are quite a few members who have extensive use with these materials, so barring any real "lab" experiments, they're you're best resource for information.

I have strops with and without handles. You really don't have to worry about cutting your hand, as long as you pay attention and respect the equipment properly. The only thing you have to figure out is how to hold the leather firm;y (i.e., not pull it out of your grasp) without a handle. I have simply pinched it between my thumb and forefinger, and have also grasped around the leather like a handle. I have found I have to be careful when doing the latter, as I can induce cupping in the strop.

I used 3" wide Oak Tanned Cowhide with xlrg D-ring handles at both ends. I think they work great. Used diamond paste on the back of one too I think they're very usable and reasonably priced, too. Tandy leather is the place for the materials.

I personally doubt that canvas or linen provide any significant abrasive qualities. but I can see how friction can cause the maleability of the edge. Metal at that scale is almost plastic in nature, so it would come down to whether linen or leather will provide enough friction to generate enough heat to have an effect. I would say (just a guess) that leather does and canvas does not, or at the very most, a little bit of heat. I would also guess that linen isn't smooth enough to be as effective in smoothing the edge.

Originally Posted by fccexpert

I have heard various theories on this. Some claim that the cloth acts as a mild abrasive and thus provides a slight honing effect. Others claim the primary purpose is to remove any corrosion that has occured on the edge. Still others state that stropping on the cloth heats the steel and thus makes it easier for the leather to align the edge. Like most things, it's probably a little of all of these.

There doesn't seem to be as much confusion on the purpose of stropping on leather. It polishes the edge, especially on a newly honed razor, and re-aligns an edge that has been deformed by shaving.

The efficacy of one type of leather over another is probably mostly in the mind of the individual. The type of handle or no handle at all is just a matter of personal preference. Most barber strops I have seen do not have a handle.

The questions you ask are similar to the riddles of the universe. You will get many opinions and they are just that. If you want facts, there are none. Its what you believe. Personally I use the linen as I think it better prepares the edge for the leather. As far as the leather goes I don't think it matters what critter it comes from. I have had many and a quality strop is a quality strop. They all work the same. As far as hardware goes its just style. Professional strops have no hardware or handles on them. Remember a yugo will get you where you want to go the same as a Lexus.

leather doesn't matter, they just feel different

you can see my collection here:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=15028

i prefer a handle, and specifically THAT handle

I use linen before a shave just because bout (30-40 passes) (you can't get more scientific than that) and after a shave to remove any soap and/or water residue and to dry the edge (but only like 10 passes)

If the linen strop doesn't provide any benefit, why do all the old strops come with one? I use the linen, don't know if it matters but I do use it before the leather.

Firebox,

IIRC, someone posted that they had the opportunity to speak with the son of the founder of the Illionois Strop Co. The Illionois scion was a very old man at the time of this conversation, but said that the linen was intended to remove any slight corrosion that may have developed on the edge of the razor since it had been put away, and that it was intended to be used for that puropse before using the leather side of the strop.

sounds good, Bruce

I don't see how linen will remove slight corrosion, and leather won't, its not that abrasive, steel is much harder.

Originally Posted by Bruce

Firebox,

IIRC, someone posted that they had the opportunity to speak with the son of the founder of the Illionois Strop Co. The Illionois scion was a very old man at the time of this conversation, but said that the linen was intended to remove any slight corrosion that may have developed on the edge of the razor since it had been put away, and that it was intended to be used for that puropse before using the leather side of the strop.

sounds good, Bruce

Ok, I can see how this might work. Drying is good to prevent anything happening to the edge.

Originally Posted by edk442

I use linen before a shave just because bout (30-40 passes) (you can't get more scientific than that) and after a shave to remove any soap and/or water residue and to dry the edge (but only like 10 passes)