Thread: Stropping Technique...

So, I recently picked up this great smiling blade from a local antique mall and I was wondering... Do I have to use a rolling technique when I strop similar to the one I use for honing this razor?

Kevin

Always strop with the 'X' motion. The gentle flex of the strop from side to side will take care of the whole edge.

X

When buying from an antique shop make sure its edge is sharp. Stropping is pointless if the edge isn't sharp.

I re-hone all of my razors edges So making sure it's sharp isn't a problem. I was just wondering about the stropping. Thanks for the replies though

Thanks,
Kevin

The general recommendation is to strop with an X motion but that's historically because old strops were narrower that the blade. Most still do it and it's not bad advice but if you have a wide strop its really not necessary.

I assume thats what you mean by rolling but if its not the only two motions on a strop are either straight up or X motion. Rolling like on a hone you don't do with a strop.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

The general recommendation is to strop with an X motion but that's historically because old strops were narrower that the blade. Most still do it and it's not bad advice but if you have a wide strop its really not necessary.

I assume thats what you mean by rolling but if its not the only two motions on a strop are either straight up or X motion. Rolling like on a hone you don't do with a strop.

+ 1 Yeah, what he said!