Accidental Discovery about Stropping

Well, last weekend I cut my right thumb on a fitting while rigging my sailboat. Ouch.

Unfortunately, it is right where the tang of the razor rests when I am stropping. So, the pressure of stropping on leather is just too painful and for the last 4 days I have been unable to strop with leather.

So.....

I found I *could* strop with the linen side without too much pain, so I have been stropping one razor every day with only linen.

The shaves have actually been very nice. It seems like I am able to keep this razor shaving nicely with just the linen--at least for 4 shaves, so far. I'm doing about 30 - 40 strokes.

In the past, I haven't used the linen, only leather. But I guess the linen works well, too!

The razor is a 5/8 W&B "Bow" razor, hollow ground.

Just another data point added to the swirl.

Paul

I don't understand. What do you differently stropping on linen compared to stropping on leather pressure wise?

Paul,

Have you tried stropping with your other hand? I went through something similar several months ago when I cut part of the tip of my thumb off (dominant hand, naturally) and had to strop with my other hand. It was slow and very awkward, but I was able to master the stroke about the same time I took the bandages off the dumb thumb.

Good luck,

Well, with leather, I strop a little heavier to get a good draw.

With the linen, it slides a lot faster, easier so much less pressure on the tip of my thumb. Just enough to keep it from hurting.

I guess my take away from this is that I didn't realize you could keep a razor shaving with just the linen.

Well, you shouldn't be stropping heavier. Just the weight of the razor on the leather. Or do you mean the draw on the leather makes it feel heavier?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Well, you shouldn't be stropping heavier. Just the weight of the razor on the leather. Or do you mean the draw on the leather makes it feel heavier?

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Either way tool arts I hope not too much damage was done and the danged thing gets better!