Holding a strop

I thought I would throw this out there, just because, well I hate changing things without mentioning it.

I've changed the way I hold a strop.

I've concluded that it is better to grasp the strop between the ring finger and the middle finger and place the index and middle finger under the strop. Then I twist my wrist back toward myself.

Although I found the apparent change is small, it actually creates a much flatter strop which improves edge sharpness.

The key, I think, is the index finger under the strop as a flattening guide.

Happy shaving . . . I hope you all had a nice Christmas!

Thanks for the post. My only strop has a handle and it seems pretty flat, except for when I use the linen side inverted (the side that has diamond spray in it). If I do not hold the leather part, it is not completely flat. I wonder if people have a way of doing this that leads to flatter surface.

Al raz.

My strop also has a handle. Part of what I'm suggesting is that using the handle produces a less flat surface.

I tried it this morning and it works better then the thumb and forefinger method I had been using. :rock:

Not anytime soon. I'll give you a hint though. I have to run off to work. Your hand begins inverted, like your going to shake someones hand (left hand). Place the index and middle finger under the strop. The strop goes between the ring and middle, then twist the hand backward, toward you. If you don't invert your hand first (away from you) it'll never make sense.

Put your hand in front of the hanging strop, palm up, thumb towards the strop. Slide the strop between middle and ring fingers, palm still facing up. Pinch strop firmly between middle and ring finger and rotate your hand towards you so the palm is now facing down. The strop curls neatly over the index and middle fingers with the handles pointing down towards the ground. apply thumb and strop away!

Basically you are supporting the width of the strop by draping/bending it across the fingers.

Tony

I'll try to get some time to post pics of how I hold my barber style strops (my preferred strop. I don't like handles) which is straight out of one of the old barber textbooks and is similar to what you describe Alan. Then, I'd like to try what I think your method is and post pics of that so you could tell me if I'm right or not.

My analogy is that a strop without handles (barber style) is to a manual transmission vehicle like a strop with handles is to an automatic transmission vehicle. Right or wrong, that's how I think about it.

Oh, and I drive a manual transmission vehicle and prefer it.;)

Chris L

Chris,
I like a straight cut bottom on strops as well, the traditional way but feel that about 2 1/2" is the practical limit for holding one this way AND really keeping it flat. Beyond that I feel they need something more like caps and dees, etc... to make the width more rigid.

Thanks,
Tony

Tony,

Thanx for your description. Yes, I should have mentioned I was using (and do use every day) a very thin and skinny strop.

I think I use the same method--ish:

With my palm up, the strop end is between the little finger and ring finger leaving the the strop laying over the palm side of the ring/middle and index fingers. I then flip the index finger out from behind the strop to sit on the top with the little finger. I then press my thumb into my index finger to press it onto my middle finger under the strop.

You're right...photo needed :D

PuFF

I gotta try this in the privacy of my own home, but imagining how this may work, I can't mentally picture getting any traction on the strop to pull it taut without getting my thumb in on the action. :thinking:

I don't practice being dense, it just comes naturally and effortlessly. :cry:

Bruce, try it with a piece of paper or napkin in place of the strop as a simulation. Use your thumb to anchor the 'strop' to your index finger. :)

Yes, I can do it and it works very well! The strop(s) seem to have an upward arch now that gets perfectly flat during light as possible strokes. I add to this technique by grasping both strop strips instead of just the one I am using. I was doing this after I started using a hanging strop. When I re-inventing straight razor shaving for myself after a 3 yr hiatus, I was using strops atop tables to insure that there was no sag. I do not have a paddle strop. This flexing really prevents potential sagging. Also holding both linen and leather strops at one time gives a thicker, stiffer strop surface. Thanks for the technique. Good find. Robert

A little sagging in the strop adds to refining the edge edge. I can't find it now but someone posted stating they watched Livi strop a straight on a loom strop. He tested the edge and if it wasn't to his liking he loosened the strop a little and stropped again. After all of the years straight razors were in use if a perfectly flat strop was best I would think that is all we would see by now. ;)

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Originally Posted by Joed

A little sagging in the strop adds to refining the edge edge. I can't find it now but someone posted stating they watched Livi strop a straight on a loom strop. He tested the edge and if it wasn't to his liking he loosened the strop a little and stropped again. After all of the years straight razors were in use if a perfectly flat strop was best I would think that is all we would see by now. ;)

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Now that you mention that I couldn't get over how Mastro honed and stropped. Not only him but the Theirs Issard and Dovo videos also show some very heavy handed technique used to strop and hone. :shrug:

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Originally Posted by Tony Miller

Basically you are supporting the width of the strop by draping/bending it across the fingers.

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Certain fingers of which were previously out of the way of the razor. Warning! When stropping with a new grip, go slow! :cry:

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Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

Actually if you did it right, you fingers should be out the way.

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That's correct, if I did it right I wouldn't have nicked myself :eek:

Good threads should never die! I've been meaning to post pics as I promised of how I hold a "barber style" strop. Upon suggestion of Alan Davis a long time ago, my inspiration is straight out of one of the barber's manuals (thanks Alan).

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I like holding these types of strops (I prefer the "barber style) this way because I can make adjustments to the surface of the strop and its flatness, keeping it flat, by pinching with my thumb and index finger and pressing my fingers on the underside of the strop toward my palm. It's hard to describe but easy to see when you hold the strop this way.

Chris L

Your welcome. Nice pics.

I stropped for the first time yesterday evening; I did exactly this, and thought I was doing something weird - good to see I got it (unknowingly) correct! :)

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Originally Posted by ChrisL

Good threads should never die! I've been meaning to post pics as I promised of how I hold a "barber style" strop. Upon suggestion of Alan Davis a long time ago, my inspiration is straight out of one of the barber's manuals (thanks Alan).

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I like holding these types of strops (I prefer the "barber style) this way because I can make adjustments to the surface of the strop and its flatness, keeping it flat, by pinching with my thumb and index finger and pressing my fingers on the underside of the strop toward my palm. It's hard to describe but easy to see when you hold the strop this way.

Chris L

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I've been holding my strop this way for years with the exception of the pinky finger thing. What is the purpose of keeping the little finger on top of the strop? Seems awkward to me.

Started holding my strop this way as opposed to just holding it out straight and I'm sure my stropping technique improved. It was one of those AHA! moments where it just kind of clicked.

Thanks for posting this!

ETA: Wow just seen the original date on this!