Originally Posted by
honedright
This morning I took my Puma and stropped several RT's on a IRS #361 leather side, then about half a dozen times on the linen side, then again on the leather. I checked the edge with my moistened thumb pad and the edge didn't feel keen enough. Meaning that the edge didn't stick to the pad of my thumb as much as I know it will when it is keen enough to give a good shave. I repeated the stropping process above, adding a bit more downward pressure. Checked with the thumb again and still not quite where I wanted it. Repeated stropping again and this third time the edge had a definite sticky, scary sharp, feel.
I couldn't tell anyone how many strokes or round trips I made because I wasn't counting. I just relied on the feel of the edge against my thumb pad and kept stropping until it felt right. Sometimes less is enough, sometimes more is necessary.
I suppose the only way to know is through lots of experience.