zipping sound on canvas

Hi,

When stropping on canvas with my blade running with the grain of the canvas straight across, it makes a zipping sounds. When I draw the blade in an X pattern the zipping is much quieter or not there.

Should I be doing it one way verses an other? It's new strop.

Thanks,
Mike

Most guys will recommend the x-pattern, but it's really whatever floats your boat. Don't worry either, the "zipping" sound is quite normal for the material side

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mbrando

Hi,

When stropping on canvas with my blade running with the grain of the canvas straight across, it makes a zipping sounds. When I draw the blade in an X pattern the zipping is much quieter or not there.

Should I be doing it one way verses an other? It's new strop.

Thanks,
Mike

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The zipping sound is the spine running over texture on the
canvas side of the strop (I am guessing Illinois Razor Co. Strop??).

My guess is that your X stroke rotates the razor to a slight diagonal so
the spine never sees the ups and downs on the canvas to
make it buzz. The fresher and sharper the spine is the
more it will buzz.

Either way is fine but be consistent.

Ideal case you want the stroke to run the entire edge
on the strop and the X is the classic stroke for that.

If you have a 3" strop you dont need to do an X stroke, just back and forth. If you cant fit all the width of the blade on the strop at once then you'll need an X stroke.

My SRD webbed fabric is very noisy when you strop (a zipping sound as you say), but its nothing to worry about.

Hi,

Thank you for all the response. It's an Illinois razor strop with leather and canvas. So it the sound it normal then. I'm thinking the x-pattern is what I should be doing since the blade is just a bit wider than the leather.

I have one more question:

Just how tight should I be holding the the strop? Just enough to keep the sage out while stropping? I've read the if the strop sage too much it can fold the edge or round it. Does any one strop with leather mounted on a stiff surface like a wood block?

Thanks,
Mike

If the blade is wider than the strop, then yes, an X stroke is the way to go.

I hold mine so that I get no more than 2-3mm of sag when I strop. I dont put much pressure on the razor, basically just enough to keep it flat on the strop.

You dont want there to be inches of sag, nor do you want the strop so taut that you can bounce a penny off it..! :) A few millimetres of sag is fine though, and I'm very happy with the edges I'm getting. I get good edge longevity as well, and (back when I just had one razor) I got a good few weeks of use before I needed to touch up on paste.

Some people do prefer to use paddle strops, but I personally prefer the hanging variety. Its really up to you! If you want to, you can lay the strop flat on the table for use, but I find that as long as your stropping technique is good, you should get good results!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stubear

If the blade is wider than the strop, then yes, an X stroke is the way to go.

I hold mine so that I get no more than 2-3mm of sag when I strop. I dont put much pressure on the razor, basically just enough to keep it flat on the strop.

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Hi,

Thanks, that helps a lot. So a little sag/movement is okay. I try this for a while. At one point I could see if I pulled too hard the strop would pucker and the blade would not make even contact. I figured that was wrong, but hen was not sure if maybe my strop was not right.

I think this will well then. Firm grip but no too firm.

Thanks,
Mike

Hi Mike,

No problem, glad I could help! :)

It should really just be a smooth comfortable stroke. If you find you're putting a load of tension on the strop or pressure on the razor, just ease off a touch and get things back in that comfort spot!

Good luck and keep us posted!

All the best,

Stuart

Sometimes when the blade is not flat it will make a zipping noise more than it should, I hope this is not the problem and like the others have said, an X stroke is more appropriate on a narrow strop.

IME: If you're using nylon or SRD's Poly Web, the zipping is normal... However, if you're using canvas (Specifically TM's Raw Linen) you'll get a zipping sound when you raise the spine and, by doing that, put too much pressure on the edge... Don't do that :p

Cheers,
Jeremy

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ShavedZombie

IME: If you're using nylon or SRD's Poly Web, the zipping is normal... However, if you're using canvas (Specifically TM's Raw Linen) you'll get a zipping sound when you raise the spine and, by doing that, put too much pressure on the edge... Don't do that :p

Cheers,
Jeremy

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Hi,

It is a "fine linen" canvas according to the imprint on the strop, an Illinois razor #827. I try it to night and see about what I'm doing.

Thanks,
Mike

That's why we all sing Zip-pity- Do- Da while we strop.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

That's why we all sing Zip-pity- Do- Da while we strop.

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Ahh your killing me. :rofl2:

I hope in key. :)

Mike

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ShavedZombie

if you're using canvas (Specifically TM's Raw Linen) you'll get a zipping sound when you raise the spine and, by doing that, put too much pressure on the edge... Don't do that

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If you're implying that TM linen is somehow silent while stropping, even with a whisper-light touch, nothing could be further from the truth. By the very nature of the material some audible noise will definitely be heard while stropping regardless if the spine is lifted or if the razor is deadflat the whole time. In other words the zipping is normal.

But then again, we're debating the cause behind a "zipping" sound, something that is neither quantitative nor scientific, so I digress....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

If you're implying that TM linen is somehow silent while stropping, even with a whisper-light touch, nothing could be further from the truth. By the very nature of the material some audible noise will definitely be heard while stropping regardless if the spine is lifted or if the razor is deadflat the whole time. In other words the zipping is normal.

But then again, we're debating the cause behind a "zipping" sound, something that is neither quantitative nor scientific, so I digress....

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I was not implying that. Not at all. However, I was saying that it should not have a zipping sound. TM raw linen produces a rasping, scratching noise when in use, whereas nylons and polywebs cause a zipping sound.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ShavedZombie

I was not implying that. Not at all. However, I was saying that it should not have a zipping sound. TM raw linen produces a rasping, scratching noise when in use, whereas nylons and polywebs cause a zipping sound.

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Hi,

Hmmm .... we be talking about the same sound. I just got done stopping a bit to hear it again. It is zipping but does have a scratchy element to the sounds too.

I've lightened my pressure and am now trying to make a deliberate x pattern. It has reduced the sound on canvas quite a bit.

Thanks,
Mike

The Illinois 827 is a great strop.

As others have said, tension is good as long as it is reasonably taught (2-3mm of sag is fine) but the bigger thing is making sure that the spine of your blade is in contact with the strop. Lifting the spine will damage the edge.

The Illinois strops have a very stiff, almost plastic, linen and it does a great job producing that zipping sound when used properly.

Be deliberate with your stropping and make sure that your spine is in contact as you create your x pattern. The sound should be consistent, if it changes too much you could be doing something less desirable.

Odds are, for the time you are putting into thinking about this, you are fine!

-Rob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sicboater

The Illinois 827 is a great strop.

As others have said, tension is good as long as it is reasonably taught (2-3mm of sag is fine) but the bigger thing is making sure that the spine of your blade is in contact with the strop. Lifting the spine will damage the edge.

The Illinois strops have a very stiff, almost plastic, linen and it does a great job producing that zipping sound when used properly.

Be deliberate with your stropping and make sure that your spine is in contact as you create your x pattern. The sound should be consistent, if it changes too much you could be doing something less desirable.

Odds are, for the time you are putting into thinking about this, you are fine!

-Rob

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+1 on "listen".

Up and down should have the same sound....
Changes clues that there may be a problem (or not).

As for tension lay the razor closed on the strop and
tighten to the point that the strop sags about 1/4 of
the width of the closed razor.... i.e. thickness of the
blade.

Another way is that the tension is about what it takes
to lift a can of beans. Pressure by the razor on
the strop should be light -- very close to the weight
of the razor itself.

Adjust with time and experience.