Thread: Stroping backward

I don't think x patterns are about teeth patterns. They are about completeness and consistency and a proper (high quality) stroke.

Strops, especially, don't impart directional striations. So, stropping backwards is especially puzzling to me.

Additionally, thin hones and strops are more about freedom of movement and concentration of honing action. You can strop all over a 2 inch wide strop, but a 3 inch wide strop requires a linear up and down stroke. My arm actually finds it pretty hard to go striaight up and down. I'm thankful for a 2 inch wide strop. To me a 2 inch wide strop feels like it is 5 inches wide, because I can move the blade 3 inches in each direction mid stroke.

These are all concepts that are impossible to explain in a way that anyone would accept. With time and practice you'll start to at least understand my perspective on the idea.