Thread: What "should" stropping sound like?

I am still learning so I hope I do not lead you in the wrong direction. I find that different razors and especially different grinds will give a different sound. A razor with a full hollow will sound different an a 1/4 hollow when stropping. I look for a consistent sound. I want the sound to be the same in both directions when stropping.

The videos are great, but the biggest help in improving my stropping technique was the honing and stropping section of the barbers manual in the wiki. I was using the wrong grip on the razor. By using the wrong grip, the sound of my stropping strokes were not consistent due to a difference in pressure that I was applying in the up stroke and back stroke. With proper technique my stropping is much better and so are my shaves.

I am not clear about your statement when you look at what comes off your blade after stropping. If you are using a clean leather strop, the blade should be clean with no visible residue.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

no particular sound, some razors are more noisy some are not at all.
Make sure your spine is on the strop and apply little pressure when making the draw.

Originally Posted by lesshairy

I am still learning so I hope I do not lead you in the wrong direction. I find that different razors and especially different grinds will give a different sound. A razor with a full hollow will sound different an a 1/4 hollow when stropping. I look for a consistent sound. I want the sound to be the same in both directions when stropping.

The videos are great, but the biggest help in improving my stropping technique was the honing and stropping section of the barbers manual in the wiki. I was using the wrong grip on the razor. By using the wrong grip, the sound of my stropping strokes were not consistent due to a difference in pressure that I was applying in the up stroke and back stroke. With proper technique my stropping is much better and so are my shaves.

I am not clear about your statement when you look at what comes off your blade after stropping. If you are using a clean leather strop, the blade should be clean with no visible residue.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Thanks your input does help. I am using a clean leather strop that is broken in without any paste. After I strop and wipe the blade most of the time there iss some leather residue. I guess I am in fact placing to much pressure on the blade.

Originally Posted by lesshairy

I am still learning so I hope I do not lead you in the wrong direction. I find that different razors and especially different grinds will give a different sound. A razor with a full hollow will sound different an a 1/4 hollow when stropping. I look for a consistent sound. I want the sound to be the same in both directions when stropping.

The videos are great, but the biggest help in improving my stropping technique was the honing and stropping section of the barbers manual in the wiki. I was using the wrong grip on the razor. By using the wrong grip, the sound of my stropping strokes were not consistent due to a difference in pressure that I was applying in the up stroke and back stroke. With proper technique my stropping is much better and so are my shaves.

I am not clear about your statement when you look at what comes off your blade after stropping. If you are using a clean leather strop, the blade should be clean with no visible residue.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Could you point me to the barbers manual you're referring to?

Its practically impossible to find, but I think this is a link.


File:Help Files 1961 Barbering Text - Shaving.pdf - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Here is the honing and stropping section

http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...t_-_Honing.pdf


Probably the most important and succint document on straight shaving ever.