Thread: critique my stropping

Great discussion, even if there is disagreement. I find that no wrist movement is helpful for the consistent application of the stropping action over repeated strokes. This is an important criteria. Just like with honing, it's not the amount of action per stroke, its the repetition.

I find the thumb position issue to be really important as well, yet without a good answer. Any thumb position I try that fails to impart edge pressure also fails to produce spin. Turning the razor without the wrist, without the resulting turn pressure affecting the edge is, "impossible".

If I place the thumb directly on top of the shank what is it that produces the turning motion? Perhaps it would be better on the away stroke to apply pressure with the index finger and on the return with the thumb so that pressure is always applied spine only?

The idea of placing the thumb under the shank is interesting. Runs against my belief that many people under strop, but I'll try it out.

Well I played a bit with this and I think, my opinion only, that the best thumb position is on the side of the shank. It's a little uncomfortable for me but it seems to produce the best edge. Your wrist may need to be positioned a little differently but you can impart most of the action with the index finger on the shank, which is oriented under the spine.

After watching the vid it seems you are neglecting the toe of the razor a bit, learning the X stroke will correct this. Try to ensure you strop the entire razor evenly from heel to toe.

I just want to say that I read a while ago where Sham had instructed a user to use their thumb on top of the shank of the razor when they strop. I since then tried doing it that way and I have had better edges when I shave. Does that mean he is right? Well, I think he was right when I read it because they edges are easier to shave with then when I used my thumb on the side of the razor's shank. It's not a night and day difference but a difference that helps and is pretty noticeable. A few barber's books I saw online also mentioned placing your thumb on top to control the razor and help achieve a better result.

Just wanted to say that. Ymmv

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Well I played a bit with this and I think, my opinion only, that the best thumb position is on the side of the shank. It's a little uncomfortable for me but it seems to produce the best edge. Your wrist may need to be positioned a little differently but you can impart most of the action with the index finger on the shank, which is oriented under the spine.

Damn this thread, gentlemen

For the last few days i've been trying to hold my razors like AFDavis stated in this post. Can't say nothing yet, as good result don't come quick when trying to do against something you've used to do.

When i started with straights some years ago, i had no hint about rights or wrongs, only some weak memories of my grandfather shaving. No clue about stropping. I thought i was the only dust head in the world who wants to learn some old time skill in the world where things are done fast and the modern way. I used to strop by turning my wrist.
Before joining this great place and after lurking here for a while i learned that the proper way to stropping is not done as i did, but having your thumb on top of the shank. So i learned it. Slowly as it was damn difficult but little by little i learned to minimize my wrist movement. I can't say that shaving got better but maybe i got better control of the blade. It is still if not impossible but very difficult with razors that have very thin shank like my Fiskars or Hellberg. Next step is to try to learn to keep my thumb on the side of the shank. Just to give it a try maybe.

We have no traditional barber shops in Finland, but i've had a luck of having good barber shop shave 4 times in my life. In Lebanon, Crete, Bosnia and Tunisia. Last year i was in vacation in Tunisia with my wife and decided to take a shave at Medina Sousse. This time i already knew something about straight shaving so i watched as the old barber stropped. He turned his wrist much more than i and was also much faster. The shave was excellent, but that was obvious as the man looked like he had done it for at least last 60 years or so. His straight looked like just another cheap everyday razor.

So, based on a few PMs, I've been asked to clarify my post. A graphic would be very appropriate here but . . .

What I'm saying is that the best position for the thumb is on the edge/blade side of the shank. The objective is to apply pressure only to the spine and not to apply any pressure on the edge. If your thumb is on the shank so that it can push down on the away stroke, it will. On the return stroke the thumb is naturally positioned near the spine.

I will not suggest what is wrong or right, only to say that I find that this position will produce the best edge. It is not easy to do though, so, you may choose another approach.

I would suggest learning a technique that does not apply pressure to the edge, but rather back on the spine such as the graphic that Matt posted. I think this is even more important than concerning yourself with wrist turn.

When I use this technique I find that it helps to turn my wrist a little more away from me which applies pressure to the spine through the passes.

I once saw a video example where a gentleman hit the spine on the strop very purposely. I think this makes more sense now that I understand the importance of emphasizing the pressure against the spine and the finger/thumb position required in order to do this.

Sorry for the long post . . . .

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

So, based on a few PMs, I've been asked to clarify my post. A graphic would be very appropriate here but . . .

What I'm saying is that the best position for the thumb is on the edge/blade side of the shank. The objective is to apply pressure only to the spine and not to apply any pressure on the edge. If your thumb is on the shank so that it can push down on the away stroke, it will. On the return stroke the thumb is naturally positioned near the spine.

I will not suggest what is wrong or right, only to say that I find that this position will produce the best edge. It is not easy to do though, so, you may choose another approach.

I would suggest learning a technique that does not apply pressure to the edge, but rather back on the spine such as the graphic that Matt posted. I think this is even more important than concerning yourself with wrist turn.

When I use this technique I find that it helps to turn my wrist a little more away from me which applies pressure to the spine through the passes.

I once saw a video example where a gentleman hit the spine on the strop very purposely. I think this makes more sense now that I understand the importance of emphasizing the pressure against the spine and the finger/thumb position required in order to do this.

Sorry for the long post . . . .

Doesn't this technique require quite a bit of wrist movement?

Originally Posted by Sigurd Aaset

Doesn't this technique require quite a bit of wrist movement?

It requires more wrist movement than I usually use, which is none.