Finally BBS

I finally got my first BBS smooth shave today, it wasnt completely irritation free, but smooth as hell. The reason I decided to post in this forum is I am crediting it to my stropping. Today was the first day everything seemed to click while stropping, had good speed, good rythym and most importantly I was able to keep the edge on the leather the whole time. I have been using a 6/8 Dovo and what I think a is a 5/8 Henckels(might be smaller), the bigger razor has been the one that has been easiest to strop but on the return stoke with the smaller one I have had trouble keeping the edge down. I have taken the advice to concentrate on the spine while stropping so i havent rolled an edge yet, but I do keep catching myself raising the edge. I think I may have the strop hanging a little high and have been contemplating lowering it to counter level, like in Lynns videos, but today confirmed that it wasnt the height completely but my technique as well. I used to think that beard prep, pressure and angle were the most important, now I would definitely throw stropping to the top of the list, well right behind a shave ready razor, but I figure that just goes without saying.

Where do you guys hang your strops, the top of the door like in Jockeys vids, under the counter top like in Lynns vids, or somewhere else?

Where would you guys put stropping on your lists of importance? Do you guys think I was correct at linking my best stropping session with my best shave?

Is the reason I see 6/8 razors recommended most because of the fact they are easier to strop, or is that just my experience?

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

-Jason

Jasongreat,

I would place stropping right at the top of the list. It is essential for aligning the blade which has been sharpened by honing.

As for your question...I installed a amall brass hook, about waist high, in a rustic beam in my bedroom where I hung my strop for daily use.

I'll go with you on the stropping thing. I think it ranks right up there at the top.

I like counter top height for my strops, BTW.

Scott knows about stropping, that's for sure. I also like
my strops around waist/counter height. I typically use
it completely horizontal, but sometimes with a bit of a
slant.

- Scott

Stropping is King. I hang my strop from the top of a dresser, bookshelf or door so that the top of the leather is at eye, nose or chin level and the bottom at my navel or waist. That's how I'm most comfortable. I get a good reach with no strain throughout the entire stroke.

Absolutely important, and absolutely only one place to put it. Into a wall stud at exactly the height of the bottom of your elbow when it is bent at a 90 degree angle.

BBS - You have arrived!

Strop hangs on the towel rack about 4 feet high. Its a nice size bathroom so it doesn't get all steamed up. Good stopping does help the straight shaving cause.

Pabster

BBS is a Hell of a thing. My strop is in fact hanging about 4-6 inches below my waist level. That is what works best for me. Keep those great shaves coming.

I hang mine from the doorknob. If I want some other angle I use a linen/horsehide paddle strop.

I have an Illinois #206 strop I hung on a hook I put in the wall about 3" below my waist. I drilled a small hole and put a plastic anchor in and just screwed a large plastic coated cup hook in the anchor. Very secure and just the right place for me to concentrate on my stroping.

Just my little 2 cents.

tinkersd of SRP