Thread: linen strop

Looking for opinions! I dont particularly care for stroping on the linen side of strop first...I dont care for the feel of razor on linen (no drag)but I understand the purpose to be to warmup the blade before stroping on the leather side...Is it possible to accomplish same objective substituting the linen with a courser grade of leather? What effect does linen have on prepingthe blade to get it really sharp?

My wide strop doen't have a linen side and it works fine without it.

My understanding is the linen realigns the edge of the blade as well as warming it up but I would imagine a rough leather would do the same but it would have to have properties similar to the linen so unless you had the reverse side of your strop the proper consistancy you would have to buy another strop so why not just use the linen which usually comes with a leather strop anyway.

Originally Posted by clarman

Looking for opinions! I dont particularly care for stroping on the linen side of strop first...I dont care for the feel of razor on linen (no drag)but I understand the purpose to be to warmup the blade before stroping on the leather side...Is it possible to accomplish same objective substituting the linen with a courser grade of leather? What effect does linen have on prepingthe blade to get it really sharp?

I have found the linen side to be a curiosity. Whenever I try using it I only succeed in ruining the edge of my razor...

I am curious as to how many use the linen side versus those that do not. Am I the only one that lacks the skills required to use the linen side properly?

Mark.

If the linen doesn’t work for you, you’re under no obligation to use it.

Having said that, I find it indispensable in keeping my razors sharp. I don’t know how or why but it does work for me.

The FDA has not evaluated these statements.

Kind regards &c,
LG Roy

I like using the linen. I liken it to being in the bull pen, and hitting the leather like stepping onto the mound. It may warm up the razor, but it also warms up my arm!

RT

The leather strop finishes. A linen strop with white paste sharpens. It offers the equivalent of a very light honing. I don't think a plain linen without paste does much of anything, IMHO. If you have a plain linen, I'd recommend getting a some white paste (you'll need to use a fair bit when applying it for the first time) and work it in thoroughly with you the palm of your hand. Use the linen side only when required.

Hal

I use the linen as well to no adverse effect. The few times I have gone without it has not been at all bad however. Six of one ... Just my preference I guess. Maybe we'll have to try a new experiment on this to see what benefit there might be in using or omitting linen.

X

Originally Posted by halwilson

The leather strop finishes. A linen strop with white paste sharpens. It offers the equivalent of a very light honing. I don't think a plain linen without paste does much of anything, IMHO. If you have a plain linen, I'd recommend getting a some white paste (you'll need to use a fair bit when applying it for the first time) and work it in thoroughly with you the palm of your hand. Use the linen side only when required.

Hal

Perhaps this is my problem. I have been trying to use the linen strop plain without paste. I will try it with the paste and see what happens.

Mark.

I use mine extensively, usually to dry the razor after shaving. I like to use it before stropping sometimes too. I can't tell you that it has any effect though. I applied fireplace ash to mine and it got real shiny for about a week, now I'm not so sure. If you have used it in the past and ruined your edges, stop using it. There are different "linens", not everyone is discussing the same material. I think there is some canvas out there masquarading as linen.