Thread: Common stropping mistakes?

I use my strop from Tony as it was received. I have other dedicated pasted strops. I believe it is best to leave my main strop as is.

Speed comes with practice. It develops as a person becomes proficient with the stroke. I always set my strop up on a door knob. I believe that it approximates the height that barbers used when the strop was hooked to their barber's chair.

I think that is an optimal height to work from and I do think it makes a difference. YMMV. I see pics of guys who have their strop at a higher level and are working even at shoulder height. I think that would make it more difficult although I must confess I haven't tried it.

Practicing flipping the blade without moving the arm may be a good thing for beginners. The barber manual instructs that to be done . I am well beyond that but if someone is having trouble with turning the blade it sounds like a good way to get the hang of it.