Thread: critique my stropping

I think we all can agree that the ideal technique is to turn the razor with your fingers while keeping your wrist straight.

I re examined my finger position and found using the thumb on the inside gimp to push razor on the away stroke and pull it back works well. When my thumb is on top (side of the tang) there is a tendency to push down with it against the strop, which you want to avoid.

The other factor that effects your finger position and technique is your body's relation to the strop. I like to be 45 degrees, neither directly behind nor completely to the side.

Originally Posted by richmondesi

Like I said, Sham, I don't believe there is only one "right" way to do things.

Unfortunate in stropping it is

I think both are excellent examples of how to strop. First, you said Bart was doing it "wrong" because his thumb wasn't on top of the razor.

yes i did and i back up that.

Then you said he was doing it "wrong" because there is a little bit of motion in his wrist.

because that person grabs shank wrong he has to use his wrist turn the blade. Again this is wrong

I'm pretty fond of the video because it's just about how I do it (except without the wrist action).

Sorry your stropping is wrong too

FWIW, I think the difficult angle of filming the video accounts for the wrist motion because he's stropping almost directly out in front of his body to show the path of the razor. Bart is one of the main people that I remember emphasizing the importance of limiting wrist motion, so that makes sense to me.

The "right" way to do things with straight razors is really subjective, and shouldn't be pushed on other people, IMHO. Again, there's nothing really "wrong" with Bart's video.

"There is something wrong and i am not pushing to other people . i try to explain right way to strop ,if you accept that as a pushing that is ok with me too.

Also, in the video you posted, there's a little wrist action there too...

I have no idea who this person is but he does right stropping

Paul

if person doesn't grab the shank right he will strop wrong.
To me doesn't matter who is doing stropping Absolutely. if that person was me i would say i am wrong.
The video you have posted is wrong stropping. If you have different opinion that is fine with me.
I just don't want newbies learn wrong stropping that is all.
have fun

Originally Posted by richmondesi

Like I said, Sham, I don't believe there is only one "right" way to do things. I think both are excellent examples of how to strop. First, you said Bart was doing it "wrong" because his thumb wasn't on top of the razor. Then you said he was doing it "wrong" because there is a little bit of motion in his wrist. I'm pretty fond of the video because it's just about how I do it (except without the wrist action). FWIW, I think the difficult angle of filming the video accounts for the wrist motion because he's stropping almost directly out in front of his body to show the path of the razor. Bart is one of the main people that I remember emphasizing the importance of limiting wrist motion, so that makes sense to me.

The "right" way to do things with straight razors is really subjective, and shouldn't be pushed on other people, IMHO. Again, there's nothing really "wrong" with Bart's video.

Also, in the video you posted, there's a little wrist action there too...

Originally Posted by Sailor

You are right. I maybe put my words too easy to get misunderstood. Helping someone who is asking for it is for sure one of the greatest things here in SRP. That is what i appreciate here. We have here fine gentlemen of high experience to help each other whenever needed. You are for sure one of them.

Telling someone that he is all wrong in case he has already found a way that is ok with him is something different. And i do not mean you with this, sorry if you took it personally.

You are ok sailor

Sailor you are fine. This is for new starters to help them when you start to learn just learn right way.that is all.

Originally Posted by Peterazor

When my thumb is on top (side of the tang) there is a tendency to push down with it against the strop, which you want to avoid.

.

This is exactly what you want. it called control of your blade. you can push as much as you like or take off pressure as much as you like.
That is why thumb on the top is better and easy way to strop.

Sham, you are wrong, my friend. There are many ways to do things effectively. You are the ONLY person who insists on there only being one "right" way on this. Even the video that you posted shows wrist movement, so he must be "wrong" too by your standards. Yet, you obstinately state that it's "right" when you said there there must be no wrist movement before, and this video clearly shows movement in the wrist.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that stropping in Bart's video, and none of us have any expertise on this matter to the point to be so assertive. This is a time where you couldn't be more wrong.

Originally Posted by richmondesi

Sham, you are wrong, my friend. There are many ways to do things effectively. You are the ONLY person who insists on there only being one "right" way on this. Even the video that you posted shows wrist movement, so he must be "wrong" too by your standards. Yet, you obstinately state that it's "right" when you said there there must be no wrist movement before, and this video clearly shows movement in the wrist.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that stropping in Bart's video, and none of us have any expertise on this matter to the point to be so assertive. This is a time where you couldn't be more wrong.

please go head read barber 's book and then come argue .
There will not be robotic hand(100% motionless wrist) while you strop.
just try both methods and then tell your opinion.
if didn't know what i am talking about i wouldn't talk. if you think you don't know what you are talking about the please ask for help.

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

please go head read barber 's book and then come argue .
There will not be robotic hand(1005 motionless wrist) while you strop.
just try both methods and then tell your opinion.
if didn't know what i am talking about i wouldn't talk. if you think you don't know what you are talking about the please ask for help.

I SHOULD add this is my last post about this . if you have questions Paul please send pm.
i would gladly discuss with you our opinion differences.

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

please go head read barber 's book and then come argue .
There will not be robotic hand(1005 motionless wrist) while you strop.
just try both methods and then tell your opinion.
if didn't know what i am talking about i wouldn't talk. if you think you don't know what you are talking about the please ask for help.

I've tried them both. I don't need help, so I'm not asking. But, if I did, I'd not ask you anyway because you aren't consistent

Just kidding with you, friend. I've read the books, and although picture shows the thumb in the position you said is "right". There's no emphasis on the positioning of the thumb on the shank. There is the phrasing that "It should be so held that it can be easily rolled in the hand, making the process of stropping much easier and more graceful." There is no mention of wrist immobility or thumb positioning.

SO, let's not be so quick to dismiss others, please.

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

I SHOULD add this is my last post about this . if you have questions Paul please send pm.
i would gladly discuss with you our opinion differences.

I posted my response before you posted this. PMs are welcome from you as well, my friend

This proved to be a can of worms.
I understand the need to use the thumb and index finger to roll the razor, but I can't see the flipping of the razor from one side to the other occurring with no wrist motion whatsoever, though you should try to minimize it.