Thread: Toe-leading X pattern

I have had some pretty good results with using a toe-leading instead of heel-leading X pattern stropping. Be careful trying this, it feels awkward at first. When I toe-lead, I lay the strop on a table to avoid any curve of the stropping surface. I notice the draw is more if using toe-leading stroppings. I have also done this with honing. Anyone with a microscope may see a cross-hatched pattern on the edge if stropping/honing alternating the attack this way. I dunno. What about it?

I hone that way when it seems like the thing to do, usually it's a case of the bevel made me do it

Originally Posted by kevint

I hone that way when it seems like the thing to do, usually it's a case of the bevel made me do it

I like it

i notice that if you hone heel leading, and strop toe leading, that the abrasion is kept in the same direction (roughly), for good or bad.

I favour toe leading for stropping on a hanging pasted strop. I could see no benefit from stropping this way on a finish leather strop.

PuFF

P.Z., Those parallel tracks could very well make the best serration pattern for certain bevels and edge smiles. I have a couple of re-works on the way. I shall do one of each honing/stropping combo with care and detail and compare the results. I think you are on to something critical for a smoother shave. Thanks, Robert

I went back in the "Strops" Forums and on page 39 I found what I am seeking. In several posts I learned about having a cross-hatched hone pattern is better for a smooth shave (Gaelicboy&Randydance posts). I shall change to heel-lead AND toe-lead when honing and do the same when leather stropping. When I felt that extra draw when toe-leading stropping after heel-leading only honing, it was the relative parallel pattern of etched honing lines "plowing" the surface of the strop. Although microscopic, it makes sense. That "plowing" could possibly alter the surface of the strop over time. I have been honing and stropping nearly every kind of way depending on how the edges progressed and the frame of mind I was in. It is good to read all the posts concerning toe/heel leading techniques. I am to soon work up some cheap razors and will carefully experiment with the various techniques. It probably will not prove much to me unless I use the same brand and model razors. Such fun this is. Thanks for this wonderful Internet Site, Robert

I can not see any advantage in changing the methodologies that have been developed and used over centuries.

Nobody I know shaves with the toe leading. You shave with the heel leading and with a downward (or upward or sideways) sawing stroke. Well actually you can shave however you like, I'm just talking about the "normal/natural" way folks shave.

Have you ever tried to saw a piece of wood with the toe leading. (Western type saws).

The X pattern with the heel leading puts a scratch pattern that allows a sawing type action as you draw the blade down the face. Toe leading doesn't do this. It does the reverse and that will give a less comfortable shave.

The stropping process (cleaning with leather) should also be with the heel leading. This allows the fine nap on the leather to open the teeth on the blades edge and remove any oxidation by brushing it off the edge and helping the edge to be smoother thereby and realigned. Heel leading forces the nap through the teeth giving a better scrubbing/cleaning action than say toe leading that just goes with the flow and doesn't release the rust so effectively.

The process of honing and stropping is designed to put a serrated cutting edge at a 45 degree angle to the cutting surface and present the face with a smooth edge that glides effortlessly over the skin which has been made tender by the exfoliating action of the cutting edge cutting away the stubble and any loose dead skin.

This is not my perceived wisdom, but just a summary of the many descriptions I have read in barbers manuals, that all explain the process in a similar manner.

It makes total sense to me at least.

Therefore: If a razor is HONED with both heel-leading AND toe-leading (both sides of the blade), the scratch pattern will be cross-hatched. Now if the razor is STROPPED with ONLY heel-leading OR toe-leading, then only one set of the scratch patterns will be in alignment with the stropping result. The other set of scratch patterns will rubbed across the pattern. Is this a bad thing? Will nap of the strop collect there and not clean and smooth the troughs of the scratches effectively?

How does one quote a previous post from another thread from another time?...
I am trying to get the various opinions on one page for study.

Originally Posted by English

I can not see any advantage in changing the methodologies that have been developed and used over centuries.

Nobody I know shaves with the toe leading. You shave with the heel leading and with a downward (or upward or sideways) sawing stroke. Well actually you can shave however you like, I'm just talking about the "normal/natural" way folks shave.

Have you ever tried to saw a piece of wood with the toe leading. (Western type saws).

The X pattern with the heel leading puts a scratch pattern that allows a sawing type action as you draw the blade down the face. Toe leading doesn't do this. It does the reverse and that will give a less comfortable shave.

The stropping process (cleaning with leather) should also be with the heel leading. This allows the fine nap on the leather to open the teeth on the blades edge and remove any oxidation by brushing it off the edge and helping the edge to be smoother thereby and realigned. Heel leading forces the nap through the teeth giving a better scrubbing/cleaning action than say toe leading that just goes with the flow and doesn't release the rust so effectively.

The process of honing and stropping is designed to put a serrated cutting edge at a 45 degree angle to the cutting surface and present the face with a smooth edge that glides effortlessly over the skin which has been made tender by the exfoliating action of the cutting edge cutting away the stubble and any loose dead skin.

This is not my perceived wisdom, but just a summary of the many descriptions I have read in barbers manuals, that all explain the process in a similar manner.

It makes total sense to me at least.

I'm an idiot, but not about sharpening. I lead with the toe on my hone to accomplish a specific action. As to the specific orientation of micro serations I don't think it matters a great deal. And i think it certainly does not matter , with control, which leads on the strop.