Thread: Does a heavy draw require less stropping?

I am still wondering if a lack of draw requires more passes than heavy draw

Does a razor require more passes on a slick strap than on a sticky strap?

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

Does a razor require more passes on a slick strap than on a sticky strap?

In my experience, absolutely not.

Hmmm...
I have two strops that I use, a 3" TM buffed horsehide with linen, and an Illinois 827 russian. The Horsehide has 0 draw compared to the 827 which draws as thought coated in syrup. I have noticed that I have to go for more passes on the horsehide alone rather than the 827 alone. I don't know that the draw is making the difference as the leathers have much different surfaces too. The linen's couldn't be more different as well. The 827 has the standard Illinois linen component which is like a thick, linen textured plastic; the TM has natural flax linen which is a lot softer. I am slowly learning the strops feedbacks and uses so I am no expert yet; however, I will say that having a wall full of strops sure looks cool in the bathroom!

I am a firm believer in "right tool for the job" idea.
Russian/Latigo leathers are great renovators and general all rounders.
Cordovan and horse, calf etc are finishers and delicate edge specialists.

Draw on Russian and Latigo is medium to heavy.
Draw on horse etc is nill to light.

I would conclude that draw has a marked effect on an edge once damage has taken effect or if slightly overhoned etc, where horse etc would require more reps to get the same result. Horse etc having less draw and texture is the Echer of the strop world. linen imo is a must combo with a Cordovan/horse etc strop to give you the variation.
I have a horse/Latigo combo from TM that works great in this respect. Big up Tony!!

PuFF

Originally Posted by PuFFaH

I am a firm believer in "right tool for the job" idea.
Russian/Latigo leathers are great renovators and general all rounders.
Cordovan and horse, calf etc are finishers and delicate edge specialists.

Draw on Russian and Latigo is medium to heavy.
Draw on horse etc is nill to light.

I would conclude that draw has a marked effect on an edge once damage has taken effect or if slightly overhoned etc, where horse etc would require more reps to get the same result. Horse etc having less draw and texture is the Echer of the strop world. linen imo is a must combo with a Cordovan/horse etc strop to give you the variation.
I have a horse/Latigo combo from TM that works great in this respect. Big up Tony!!

PuFF

*Sigh* Here comes the STRAD. And just when I'd finished with my HAD too

James.

Originally Posted by PuFFaH

I am a firm believer in "right tool for the job" idea.
Russian/Latigo leathers are great renovators and general all rounders.
Cordovan and horse, calf etc are finishers and delicate edge specialists.

Draw on Russian and Latigo is medium to heavy.
Draw on horse etc is nill to light.

I would conclude that draw has a marked effect on an edge once damage has taken effect or if slightly overhoned etc, where horse etc would require more reps to get the same result. Horse etc having less draw and texture is the Echer of the strop world. linen imo is a must combo with a Cordovan/horse etc strop to give you the variation.
I have a horse/Latigo combo from TM that works great in this respect. Big up Tony!!

PuFF

Are you kidding me? I need two strops? (There goes my daughter's college fund.)

Me

OMG... haven't you figured it out yet?!!!!

You need at least 10 of everything....

PuFF

Honestly, I don't think the draw has any direct relation to what it does to the edge. I've used several slick strops and several with varying degrees of draw, it doesn't seem to have any effect on the amount of stropping required.

My only theory is this: if you're fairly new you might unconsciously apply more pressure on a slick strop, mistakenly thinking it isn't doing anything. If you do that you can strop all day but you'll just dull the edge. Listen to the other posters who talk about the sound it makes - that is a much better indicator of what you're doing to the edge.

I have two strops: A TM Red/Latigo & a TM #1 Horsehide. The Red/Latigo has lotz of draw; the #1 Horsehide has little to none.

Regardless of the grind of the razor I am using, I'll do 40/50 on the Red/Latigo first, and finish up with at least 20 on the horsehide.

This seems to work beautifully for me, regardless of what razor I am using.

Steve

Originally Posted by PuFFaH

OMG... haven't you figured it out yet?!!!!

You need at least 10 of everything....

PuFF

When I first read this, I thought you were kidding ... then I started to count: Illinois Imperial Russian linen and leather, Livi loom strop linen and leather and a four-sided Thiers paddle strop and I'm already up to 8 ...