Thread: Stropping technique

Originally Posted by shorynot

I must be doing something right though because im not butchering my face, or having and razor burn issues. And my shaves are getting progressively closer and closer

I feel the same way. I am trying to keep a taught strop but now there are some suggestions in this thread that may challenge this notion. So far my razor's sharpness has not declined as all so I do feel like shorynot does. "I must not be screwing things up.... 'cause I am not messing up my face." Or dulling my edge.

So what is the advice for the new guys that may not realize which way is better ?

In the post by the fellow from Munich... Forgot his name... he mentions that you should have enough pressure to get draw and get the stropping sound.


So is this stropping sound a scratching sound. I have noticed this same thing. It actually has to do with two things the amount of pressure I apply to the tang with my thumb and the angle of the entire blade relative to the edge of the strop. If my blade is perpendicular to the edge of the strop I get a "Smooth" sound but if I angle my blade I get a scratching sound...

Is this light scratching sound correct?

Originally Posted by shorynot

I must be doing something right though because im not butchering my face, or having and razor burn issues. And my shaves are getting progressively closer and closer

You are totally right! I think, learning to hone and tp strop a razor might be
a lifelong task. There are probabbly hundreds of ways doing it. Of course, there are certain rules, e.g. "don't lift the spine". The stropping technique surely depends on size an ground of a blade. I experienced, that light touch, no give at all works properly for 4/8" full hollow razors, my #14 Filarmonica or 8/8" W&B definitely need some give. Without give, the strop does not touch the edge properly, it won't ruin the razor, but the shaves tend to be a little harsh and less close.

At the moment, I am convinced that a more or less powerful drawing motion is the key to success. Moving the razot carefully with almost no blade contact and at a low speed over the strop is just not enough to re-align the edge.

Keep experimenting, guys! Maybe everyone has to find his own special technique. If a super taut strop, that won't bend at all during blade contact, works for somebody, it's ok. Like honing, there are probably millions of ways doing it.