2 Questions

**baldy** · 10-09-2009, 09:42 AM

1) When stropping a smiling blade is it necessary to execute a light Rolling X type motion to achieve even stropping along the blade?
2)I've seen stropping on newspaper mentioned a few times. Is this used a a fine finishing type technique and what is the best way to do it, lay some paper on the side of a bench?
Thanks
Grant.

**keenedge** · 10-09-2009, 12:45 PM

I can't answer the first question, but the second, what I do is wrap two pieces of newspaper over my paddle strop. You could also use a hone or anything flat for that matter. I consider it a finishing technique.

**ndw76** · 10-09-2009, 03:06 PM

I use the same stropping motion for all of my straight edge and smiling straights. I think even with the strop taught there is still enough flex for the leather to touch all along the edge.

**TheBaron** · 10-09-2009, 03:30 PM

I used newspaper as my strop when I was learning to reduce newb strop destruction on my actual strop. Very glad I did or I'd be buy a new strop right about now. Yet I'm not sure of the actual benefit of newspaper as a strop.

**huntmol** · 10-09-2009, 07:37 PM

I agree with the "strop flex" idea - even though you're holding the strop taut, it still does bow a bit when stropping and I believe this lets the strop come in contact with the entire edge

**cubed1** · 10-09-2009, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by baldy

1) When stropping a smiling blade is it necessary to execute a light Rolling X type motion to achieve even stropping along the blade?

Hi grant!

The answer to your question is yes. X-strokes will ensure even stropping on smiling edges. They will work with any edge really and are useful for working will most types of blades. So the x-stroke is a thing worth doing; the real beauty of the x stroke is the fact that it helps to ensure that you are using the same amount of pressure all along your blade which will help keep your razor at its best.

Cheers!

**Scipio** · 10-09-2009, 10:34 PM

I have a few similing blades and I agree with the above while I would add that
I believe it depends on the extent of the smile.

I have a Wade and Butcher with a smile that is so far from being able to sit flat that it feels natural to put a roll on that X; while the suede on my paddle strop seems thick enough to cover the whole edge on smaller smiles on smaller 5/8 blades. Hope that makes sense.

**huntmol** · 10-11-2009, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by cubed1

Hi grant!

The answer to your question is yes. X-strokes will ensure even stropping on smiling edges. They will work with any edge really and are useful for working will most types of blades. So the x-stroke is a thing worth doing; the real beauty of the x stroke is the fact that it helps to ensure that you are using the same amount of pressure all along your blade which will help keep your razor at its best.

Cheers!

But what about the roll? It seems to me that a rolling motion would endanger your strop after a while

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