Thread: comments on stropping technique

Thanks for your comments guys.

I read somewhere on this site that a common cause for a dull edge is slow stropping which is why I try to keep up some speed.

As for the strop that I'm using, it's actually a lether belt. I destroyed the first strop rather quickly so I'm using the belt as practice material. I will get another strop soon (hopefully).

Originally Posted by 11markus11

Thanks for your comments guys.

I read somewhere on this site that a common cause for a dull edge is slow stropping which is why I try to keep up some speed.

As for the strop that I'm using, it's actually a lether belt. I destroyed the first strop rather quickly so I'm using the belt as practice material. I will get another strop soon (hopefully).

I doubt if "slow" all by itself makes any difference unless we're talking about dramatically slow.

Slow stropping might be part of a package in which the strop is too loose, the flip is sloppy and the pressure too much--that will certainly dull a razor.

I find I want to "pace" my stropping. I would not call it slow or fast, just deliberate. The "One thousand one" idea noted earlier is good advice. My pace is to count my laps with "A one and back"..."twenty and two" etc. with the first number the up stroke and the second the back stroke.

I also make my flip point the SRD logo at the top of the strop. I very deliberately flip the razor right there. If I go too fast, I'll hit the mount above the logo, so it makes me be deliberate and intentional.

More and more, I'm realizing the even, light touch is the key to this. If my contact is good, my touch light, my strop appropriately steady (not stiff and rigid, but steady with some spring) my razors have improved with every shave.

big improvement from your first video. In the first video you can hear the blade "ting" as it was nicking the strop.

You are on the right track... keep practicing! Good job!

Originally Posted by 11markus11

Thanks for your comments guys.

I read somewhere on this site that a common cause for a dull edge is slow stropping which is why I try to keep up some speed.

As for the strop that I'm using, it's actually a lether belt. I destroyed the first strop rather quickly so I'm using the belt as practice material. I will get another strop soon (hopefully).

When people strop slowly they tend to over-do the pressure on the razor and under-do the tension on the strop, so in effect, bad technique dulls the edge, not slow stropping IMHO.

I noticed that, a suit pants/dress belt no less. I think you should get yourself a new strop (a cheaper one for now) to practice on. Or at least get a wider belt to spread any weight, you may be inadvertantly putting on the edge, over a wider surface area, thus giving it more support.

You're improving and, at the end of the day, that is the main thing.


Mick