"Things to know in using a hone and strop to sharpen tools." from 1918:
http://i35.tinypic.com/2cp2vr8.jpg
http://i38.tinypic.com/358x4jc.jpg
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"Things to know in using a hone and strop to sharpen tools." from 1918:
http://i35.tinypic.com/2cp2vr8.jpg
http://i38.tinypic.com/358x4jc.jpg
Great articles!
I too am a bit confused as to whether the strop should be taut or slightly slack. However, I find it silly that the one article suggests only paddle strops be used. (The all-metal strop, now that is an interesting one!)
As for the saw-tooth thing, I believe the first article is refuting the (apparent) belief that it was because of the saw-tooth that the razor did its cutting. I believe both to some extent show how "teeth" (for lack of a better word) form because of hairs bending over the microscopically fine edge, but this is always considered a bad thing that stropping corrects.