Is it OK to strop like this?

I was thinking that I have read many times that is very important to keep the razor flat when stropping, even more for a newbie like me, but all the tutorial I have seen shows somebody using just one hand to hold the razor and go the "x-pattern". I was wondering if it would be better if, as in my case, using a paddle strop, just to put this on a table and then use both hands to make sure the razor is absolutely flat, kind of like this picture (I apologize for using it, I understand the owner of the picture is also a member here, I will delete it inmediately if told so), which is showing not stropping but honing technique, but it is exactly what I am trying to describe:

http://fine-razors.de/images/stories...haerfen/4a.jpg

Of course I understand that it should be zero pressure on the razor, but I think it will help to keep it flat so no harm to the edge is made...

Well, any opinions?

Thanks and regards

nothing wrong with doing it like that. keep it up!!

Yes thats ok. I often use both hands.
Making less mistakes that way.

I guess that if you struggle to maintain consistent contact on the strop, it would be a possible way to help keep it there.
Would you be using this technique just for pastes, or for all, including everyday stropping prior to a shave?
What do you strop with right now? Are you using paddles already, or a hanging strop?
Try it & see how it goes for you. You may find that despite your intention that there will be minimal pressure, it creates more than you expect. Update us, eh.

Just to play the devil's advocate, IMO if you're honing two hands is okay if that is what makes you feel comfortable but I don't think it is ideal while stropping. While you should start slow to avoid miscues when your're learning effective stropping needs a bit of speed to create friction as I understand it.

Here is an excerpt from a 1961 barber manual devoted to honing and stropping that is in the help files. The last couple of pages are devoted to stropping. Note the instruction to practice flipping the razor between thumb and forefinger before you begin actual stropping...i.e. moving while flipping the razor. With practice it becomes like breathing. You don't even need to think about it.

Jimmy, I can understand why this may have some merit when using pastes, but i do agree with you. I can't imagine how long 20 linen & 40 leather would take me this way.
I'm interested in hearing back from Mandrake, as it may clarify my thoughts on it.

Olivia, do you strop this way with a plain strop, or with pastes?

Forgive me Ben, I hone or paste this way, not strop.

I forgive you Olivia. :D
That i can understand. It can provide stability in that situation.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ben.mid

I guess that if you struggle to maintain consistent contact on the strop, it would be a possible way to help keep it there.
Would you be using this technique just for pastes, or for all, including everyday stropping prior to a shave?
What do you strop with right now? Are you using paddles already, or a hanging strop?
Try it & see how it goes for you. You may find that despite your intention that there will be minimal pressure, it creates more than you expect. Update us, eh.

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I only have a TI travel strop, and just today found this may be a system that may work to be sure not to roll the edge of the razor, I use it for my daily stropping on the leather. Have not used the pasted side yet.

Will keep you posted, but the problem is I do not have the experience or materials to do a fair comparison.

Regards

I don't want to seem critical here but I really feel that some things need to be done by the book and stropping is one of them. I don't see how you can avoid applying too much pressure stropping like that. With a pasted strop you can do it but daily stropping I have to say no.

I think the other hand would just be a crutch that would harm you in the long run. Its obviously not useful for hanging strops and you'd need a lot of table room to be able to lay down the paddle strop.

I just think its easy enough to keep the razor on the strop, go slowly until you've got the motion perfected, and then you can speed things up.

That, and I really can't think of any benefit to regular stropping in that manner.

I have to agree with thebigspendur. It seems that part of the problem most newbees have with honing is applying to much pressure, thus bending the edge of the blade up ever-so-slightly. If you were to use both hands to strop on a hard strop, I think the tendency would be to apply more pressure to increase the drag. Leighton is right. Make an effort to learn to do it with one hand. That doesn't mean you can't do it with a hard strop, just do it with one hand. Just MHO.

Ray

Hi, Stropping is one of those things that requires practice to perfect. I would learn to use just the one hand; it does not take long :) There is nothing wrong with laying the strop on a table when you start out. That is what I did after my first attempt at stropping went wrong. (I rolled the edge of my razor and chewed the strop up) :( If possible practice using a 'reject' strop and a 'beater' razor. best regards Russ

Thanks guys, I will try to combine both techiniques and see how they compare...and at some point I'll get a hanging strop to see how that works.

Regards