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So, I've read a bunch about how it's best to use an x-pattern to strop a razor on the 4-sided paddles from Tony. What does that mean? Is an x-pattern the way shown in the instructions that came with my paddle? Or is there something else involved? I've looked around and can't find a specific explanation beyond the obvious of what it is. Is there a video of someone stropping in an x-pattern I could see?
Do a search on youtube. There's a few videos and one in particular from a guy called Mantic (handle) who is using a thin strop.
The type of strop doesn't really matter whether its a paddle or hanging. An X pattern is what is recommended however having said that alot of guys use these wide strops and don't use an X pattern and report great results so I would experiment and see what works best for you. I do the X pattern but thats how I learned and you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
Two reasons for X patten stropping.
1. The strop is too narrow to encompass the length of the blade.
2. The surface of the strop is not uniformly flat, so an X pattern insures all parts of the blade edge touch the surface during some part of each stroke.
Look closely at the direction arrows in the stropping diagram shown in the old barber's guide shown in this link:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=20838
Another reason to consider: the cutting angle of the micro-serrations created by honing with the X pattern.
And this is irregardless of the width or surface quality of the strop.
Scott
Actually, the odd thing about this is that the micro-serrations made by x pattern honing is perpendicular to the path of the x pattern for stropping shown in barber manuals. In order to strop in line with the honing serrations, stropping would have to be done in a toe to heel pattern rather than the heel to toe stropping shown in barber manuals. This is an experiment I have intended to try for a long time.Quote:
Originally Posted by honedright
If you are adept at making drawings with MS Paint, or some other software, it would be great to see an illustration of what you are describing above. I'm picturing it my own mind, but it may not be what you're meaning. And yes, it's Monday morning, and that doesn't help either...Quote:
Originally Posted by Utopian
Scott
Danb, the X-pattern refers to the motion of moving from heel to toe as you move the razor along the length of the strop/hone (see RandyDance's avatar). On a narrow surface, this ensures the whole edge makes contact with the strop/hone. There also seems to be benefits from how this treats the edge - as you can see from the discussion here.
That being said, I use a 3" strop which fits the full length of my razors. If a razor has a smile, I use the X pattern - to make sure the whole edge contacts. If the blade is more or less straight, I just angle the blade to lead with the heel and go straight up and down the strop.
Jordan
irregardless |ˌiriˈgärdlis|Quote:
Originally Posted by honedright
adjective & adverb informal
regardless.
ORIGIN early 20th cent.: probably a blend of irrespective and regardless .
USAGE Irregardless, with its illogical negative prefix, is widely heard, perhaps arising under the influence of such perfectly correct forms as: irrespective. Irregardless is avoided by careful users of English. Use regardless to mean 'without regard or consideration for' or 'nevertheless': | I go walking every day regardless of season or weather.:hmmm:
Sorry, it's a pet peeve of mine. Don't even get me started about nuclear or in Dubbaya's case, nuculear!:rolleyes:
Quote:
Originally Posted by mischievous
Regarding your suggestion...pertaining to my disregard of the careful use of the English language...in the future, I promise to be more careful, regardless...
:gth
(thanks for the heads up)
Now, back on topic...
Attachment 10809
The above photo from an old barber manual (and others very similar) have been posted a few times recently on SRP.
The photo clearly shows the BEGINNING of the classic X pattern stropping stroke. What it fails to show is the actual follow through of the stroke, except for a directional arrow indicating the path of the razor.
Unless you've seen a trained barber stropping, the above photo could be confusing as it could be assumed that the stroke is performed with the razor maintaining a static position, heel leading.
But if you look closely, you will see the directional arrow in the photo begins at the point of the razor. In actual performance, the razor, as it travels diagonally, pivots around the heel, and the point leads through most of the stroke.
A bit hard for me to describe (much easier to show), but I'm hoping you get the idea.
Scott
Scott
When you hone your razor,using the x pattern,
the scratch pattern on the bevel of the blade is at an angle of say 45 degrees to the vertical and so is the furry edge of the blade, the teeth. If you hold the blade ready to saw through a piece of wood as you would with wood saw the 45degree angle is as you would find the teeth on a saw, ready to rip int the wood. Just like the liittle hairs on the razor are ready to rip into your beard.
If you use an x pattern with the strop which is a natural process with a 2" strop, you are effectively drawing the teeth not with the pile on the leather but against the pile. Logically, you would think this would snap the fairy edge off and blunt the blade. It doesn't.
I also don't understand how or why stropping works. It seems totally illogical.
Thanks to everyone who has replied to my question and to those of you who brought this thread to a level I didn't know existed, I find it very interesting although not quite catching every detail.
Whether you use an x pattern or not the key is to get the entire edge stropped in a single stroke both back and then again forth. Getting the entire edge lets the alignment of the edge act in a sort of wave.
I use a tad of pressure when I strop, move the blade along the edge smoothly so the entire edge gets stropped in one stroke, flip, then back the other way. The pattern isn't critical, its the continuous motion and the alignment in a single stroke.
The last four strokes are done with absolutely no pressure.
Sometimes when I do this the edge gets too sharp and I almost long for the days when I couldn't strop for s:cent.
For microserrations were equal during stroping would have to start by the toe.Quote:
Originally Posted by honedright
Dioni
The X pattern actually comes naturally on a hanging strop. Typically, you stand to your strong side (e.g. right side if you are right handed) of the strop. In this position, it is very difficult to do anything but an X pattern. At least this is what I have found. I have a 3" strop, so the X pattern is not really necessary to cover the entire blade, but I just dont see how I could do stroke parallel to the strop with out some serious contortions.
Hmm, fwiw, I stand at the end of the strop - holding the D-ring with my left hand at my left hip. This does allow me to go straight up and down. I'm not saying one is better just more stuff to chew on. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by fccexpert
Jordan
I took the liberty of editing your illustration a bit by adding a red direction of travel arrow indicating the propper path for the razor while stropping:Quote:
Originally Posted by Estroncio
Attachment 11008
Scott
