Thread: Down Stroke/Up Stroke Inconsistency

I am having a minor, minor issue when stropping and I have been unable to correct it for some time now. Here it is:

Okay...when I strop, my downstroke is fine. I get good drag, consistent sound and the blade stays flat on the strop. On the upstroke, about 3/4 through the stroke, I am lifting the edge of the blade off of the strop. Now, I know this is not a huge issue because most importantly, I am not damaging the edge at all. However, I realize that my stropping is inconsistent and uneven. I am also hesitant to try to correct the issue consciously because I am worried that I will overcompensate and start lifting the spine...a no no.

I think this is something I just have to let take care of itself over time. I'm not sure if anyone has any helpful suggestions?

I suggest going slower, keeping a rhythm, but making sure you've turned the razor before starting the next stroke. I also pick a spot where I want to make my turn. Maybe this won't be helpful to you, but my stropping is one thing I seem to be getting right these days!

+1 on slowing things down a bit.

The other thing that you might try is cutting out a strip of newspaper the same size as your strop, clipping a 1" bulldog clip to one end to hang it up and practicing stropping with that.

If you get things wrong you'll only slice the newspaper and if you put too much pressure on the strop it'll pull out of the bulldog clip. Its a really great way to practice stropping without the risk of damaging your razor or your strop.

Good luck and keep us posted!

I am going to try slowing down a bit. Since I first started, stropping always came easy to me and felt comfortable. I have never done any damage to my strop.

I know that the issue I'm having is probably minor, I am just a perfectionist and want my upstroke and downstroke to be 100% consistent.

I guess it is just a habit that I have to correct. I'll start by slowing down a bit.

At what height is your strop hook? If it is too high that can affect your stroke. My main one in the basement is higher than my shoulder. It shouldn't be that way but I never bothered to move the hook because it was already there and it kept the cats away from the strops. I adjusted that height but believe in general you will get a more consistent stroke if the hook, and strop, are at about waist height.

Originally Posted by Utopian

At what height is your strop hook? If it is too high that can affect your stroke. My main one in the basement is higher than my shoulder. It shouldn't be that way but I never bothered to move the hook because it was already there and it kept the cats away from the strops. I adjusted that height but believe in general you will get a more consistent stroke if the hook, and strop, are at about waist height.

I have my strop about waist high, maybe slightly higher. I hold the strop out in front of me across my body so I strop side to side rather than away from me then back towards me.

In theory it seems that that would provide a more uniform stroke. In practice, I have no clue since I've never tried it. RandyDance hones that way. I tried it and couldn't get an even stroke. I suppose it just depends on what is familiar.