Thread: strop width

With a blade length of 7 1/2 cm or 3 inches, it would make sense to me that the strop should be at least as wide in order to get an even edge. Although I can picture moving the blade along its length while stropping, I still imagine that the strop edge would reduce the egde wherever it meets the blade. Can anyone confirm or deny this before I buy my first strop and razor?

I have owned strops in 2", 2.5" and 3" widths. I learned (incorrectly I might add) on a 2" and when I got the 2.5" it felt odd to strop on such a wide strop. I then got a 3" and think the 2.5" is the best size. It takes minimal alternating to cover the entire blade but is still narrow enough to handle easily.
You will find them as small as 1.5" x 15" to 2.5" by 24" and I would quickly buy another 2.5" x 24".........hmm, actually I just did. One rough, one smooth.
Tony

Pretty much, the razor on the strop will follow the same X-pattern as it did on the hone. The big difference is that on the strop, of course, the back leads. So that means the razor will be angled with the point leading the heel.

That angle may be confusing at first, so lay the razor down as if it were on the stone, with the edge leading, heel first. Now flip it to it's mirror image and you get what it should look like moving in the same direction on the strop, back leading, point first.

You don't *need* a three inch width, therefore. It will be a bit more of a handful. But one advantage is if you nick the strop edge, you can reinstall the strop upside-down in the swing-clip and have a brand new, un-nicked edge!

It is more advantageous to have a three inch wide stone. That is so you can back-hone without worrying about the X-pattern, fitting the whole edge on the stone at once. No particular angle is needed for those few, light back-hone strokes.

My 2¢ -- daviduthe

I find the 2 1/2 inch wide strops the best as well. 8)

Looks like the multiple post syndrome is back.

Tony

I have a 3 inch and absolutely love it. No need to do an x pattern less of a chance of making a mistake. Three cheers for the three inch ( strop that is) :lol:

I use a 2.5 inch strop. I've tried a 3 inch, but I have better control on the 2.5 in.

I use 2.5 inch classic barber style strops and manage to keep the entire blade on the leather throughout the entire stroke, in both directions. Just place your razor at a sufficient enough angle, shoulder leading, so that the whole blade is in contact with strop. At the end of the upward stroke, roll it over and do the same in the opposite direction. Learned this from the master barber, Greg Ives, as demonstrated on his straight razor shaving video. Works well for me.

Hal

2 1/2 inch for me! I think that this width gives me the most control, I can angle the blade easily to cover the entire blade, and the Illinois 361 I have is thick enough to provide a nice base for the razor to ride upon.

I have a 2" Dovo and a mongrel 2" I still use, as well, and a 3" flatbed from Hand American for paste and smooth.

But for the hanging strop, I like 2 1/2"

Guys, Booklady on Ebay has another of her NOS silk/linen strops for sale. I have two of them and there great. Especialy if you team it up with a Hand American treated leather strop. Here's the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...23115&rd=1