Thread: Worked spine damage a strop?

I've received my first straight with a worked spine, which is putting scratches in my TM latigo strop. I'm a bit timid about really stropping properly and for any length of time, since I don't know if this will really damage the strop over time.

Please help a new guy understand whether this is a real concern. Or, maybe I'm just doing it all wrong? If so, advice and guidance would be appreciated.

i know at least one custom razor maker who is concerned about the spine work damaging the strop, when designing those.

Welcome to SRP. I know it is a PITA but maybe putting a piece of tape on the spine before you strop it might be the only answer. I do that with all that I hone but thankfully not when I strop.

I know exactly how I would fix that, but I am very reluctant to post it....

I am thinking that you might PM Seraphim, Butch Harner, Joe Chandler, Philadelph.... I think all of them do spine work and they will probably have a solution for you to try....

I have done this myself with one of the older heavy TI Frameback razors. It has a fat, thick spine with filework and while compensating to not lift the edge it is easy to put too much pressure on the spine, scratching the strop.

A little creative reworking of the file work may reduce this issue.

Tony

I have stropped many, many custom razors with worked spines over the years on a bunch of different strops and other than the lines from the filing showing up on the strop while stopping, I have really never noticed any actual damage to the strop over the long haul. I still hand rub my strops before and sometimes after use. Flat is still the key and to make sure the edge is on the strop vs. too much concentration on the file work causing additional pressure there.

Disclaimer: I have never stropped a razor where the file work had any kind of sharp edges.

Have fun,

Lynn