Thread: Define "strop draw," please

The thread title is pretty much what I need in a nutshell. I hear the term "draw" when discussing strops, but I have never heard and explanation of what constitutes it. I'm sure by now I've experienced it, but it helps to know what I'm looking for when selecting strops an stropping lap number variations. Thanks in advance...


Adam

The best way that I can define draw is, the feeling, or sensation that the leather is grabbing hold of your razor as you strop!
Running your finger across silk = no draw!
Running your finger across rubber = lots of draw!

I hope this helps!

Is draw a preference thing or does the amount of draw you get from a strop affect its effects on the edge? Or does the effect come from the preference? Thanks, by the way, JMS. That was helpful and roughly the definition I expected, but I need a further explanation of how it affects stropping action.

Thanks,
Adam

Your stropping action is the same on whatever strop you use.

The draw or suction between the leather and the blade will effect the pressure you need to apply versus the speed of your action.

I have found that generally, horse leather provides more draw than cow leather. The fluffier the surface, the greater the draw and of course if you apply more rather than less oil to the leather you can go from no draw to almost impossible to draw.

I prefer a drawing suction feel when I am stropping. Not a tacky over oiled feeling. I think this is because I can feel better that the whole blade is even on the leather surface. I get this feeling better on a horse leather strop. Having said this, I don't really notice that I get a sharper edge using horse rather than cow leather. I just feel more in control on the horse strop.

The other thing with a strop which I think is important is the length. I find it easier to strop faster when the strop is longer rather than shorter. Two foot of usable strop is fine, two foot six is better and two foot nine is getting luxurious. The width is nice at 3" but not essential. Luxurious rather than important shall we say.

Hope this helps.

Great replies. Just to add, from my very simple minded approach, strop draw equals sharpness, so that in itself makes it a good thing to have. Some strops don't draw very well. They still sharpen the blade, they just have less feedback. In other words I have no need for any sharpness test, other than whether the blade is drawing or not. As long as I have draw the shave will be excellent. Light draw= good shave, strong draw=great shave, no draw=more honing.

I think you will find strop draw has far more to do with the leather surface finish and treatment than the kind of leather used. My horse can have lots of draw or practically none, my Latigo (cowhide) is typically right in the middle, my synthetic is higher than all of them.

Buffed, smooth, dressed, dry, etc.... will all have an effect on draw, as will pressure used in stroppping. Good stropping is the key to a sharp edge, the actual tool or surface used is secondary.

Tony