Thread: Newbie looking for Strop advice

I just bought the $20 strop from kenrup's site and I was wondering what I would need to do to make it ready to strop a blade? I don't even have my razor yet (working with kenrup at the moment), but I would like to know before I get it so I don't have a chance to ruin my blade do to stupidity. Also I have read a few things and I heard that going to fast stropping can dull the blade and going too slowing can do the same. I was wondering how many trips back and forth should take place per second (say it should take one second to pull it in one direction and another to go the opposite.... that sort of thing). Some of the stropping videos I see seem like the people doing it are going way to fast to have any sort of control....

Thanks guys,

opakedragon

Im also very new at stropping, I have been at it for only a week now. Im going very slow because Im using a friends strop and Im affraid to damage it, My razor is getting sharp and Im getting great shaves out of it. Just tonight I started picking up a little more speed but not much. Others will chime in on this, but I would concentrate on getting your technique down first and the speed will come later.

I dont know where Mike got his advice, but he is absolutely correct. Technique first, agility and speed will come later. @ Mike, anybody who would loan out a strop must be one helluva guy!

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

@ Mike, anybody who would loan out a strop must be one helluva guy!

Without a doubt , not to mention give me a live tutorial on straight razor shaving.

You should really ask Ken but I suspect you don't have to do anything to the strop before using it.

As for speed...stropping is somewhat like lifting weights in that proper form is more important than speed. While I'm capable of "faster than the eye can see" stropping I normally do about a lap a second...and even if you are twice as slow it still only takes a couple minutes to strop.

Work on the proper form first, then develop speed by moving the razor quickly and doing the flip slowly until you REALLY have the flip down. When you have the flip down then and only then you can put it all together and strop quickly.

Most of the stropping oopsies I've seen (and done ) were because of a bad flip...with probably the most common being completing the flip before the stroke is completed and nicking your strop...or by using too much pressure on the blade.

+1 on technique the speed will come with time. And Ken's strops a ready to use when you get them. I wish you good luck and good shaving. Welcome to SRP

Slow stropping won't dull the blade, you just won't get it restored to a shaving edge as quickly. Follow the advice of the other guys. Start steady & your pace will improve quickly as muscle memory occurs. Technique is the priority. If you aim for speed first it'll be far harder to learn good technique. Watch the flip & keep it as light as you can while maintaining good contact & control.

Thanks guys!!! I don't like the idea of going "fast than the eye can see" EVER as it lends itself too easily to making a mistake despite having good technique.

I got the same strop from him along with a wapi. His strops are ready to use right away. He even sent the razor very shave ready. In fact he told me to try my 1st shave as is to see what a proper edge is like then strop after that. He even puts some green paste on one side so your good to go.

Do regular strops have to be oiled or loosened up in any way before use? I bought a strop from amazon and its quite stiff.