Thread: Canvas "heats" the edge: Fact or Fiction?

Canvas/Linen strops were and are for sharpening the edge and as Seraphim points out, the canvas/linen also makes a great foundation for pastes. I very much doubt that the Linen was EVER referred to for "heating" the razors edge. I am a firm believer in the beneficial use of the Linen in preparing a razor for shaving but not in the dreamt up ways some on here in the past have said it works. There is a lot of false information passed about on this forum as if it is fact. A compilation of FACTS should be added to the database for newcomers to access. eg. Fin etc If something works well and needs no improvement....why analize it then try to reinvent it, which seems to happen.

I vote: Cut out the BS.

PuFF

I nominate Ben325e as head SRP MythBuster.

Here's the link for canvas strops of yore...

Originally Posted by PuFFaH

I very much doubt that the Linen was EVER referred to for "heating" the razors edge.
PuFF

Here it is: A.B. Moler, The Barbers' Manual 1911, revised edition 1926 p.38

"There is a friction in stropping on the canvas that heats the metal, thereby expanding it and bringing it out to a keener edge so enough stropping should be given on the canvas to heat the blade, from one-half to one dozen strokes."

In 1893 A.B. Moler established the first professional college for barbers in the United States.


Scott