Thread: Can you tell sharpness of a razor from the feel on a strop?

Has anyone noticed that a sharp razor has more draw on a strop than a dull one?

More draw and a more even feel I have noted. Actually I am not certain "draw' would be the word I would use here as it is more like a slight suction than what I normally call draw.

This is a fun question because I just learned the answer today...

I had read about how guys felt a difference, but never noticed it myself. I haven't had a pro-honed razor for a year, and today I had a synthesis of my good stropping and improved honing where I put the razor to the strop and just knew it was ready... it felt like the linen was velcro (no joke!) and then it felt like the leather was sticky or something.

I think it takes a really, truly sharp smooth razor and good stropping technique to feel it (like I said, after 1.5 years of SR shaving this was the first time I noticed it) but it feels totally, completely different.

I don't think I can describe it any better than those above, but yes certainly it is noticeable. I think you just have to experience it for yourself. Somehow, you are just more aware of the very edge of the blade rather than the bevel.

Yes, it's an amazing revelation, isn' it?

Alethephant,

A razor fresh off the hones also has a slightly different sound on the strop.

The extent of this 'difference' very much depends on the grind of the razor

It is subtle, but noticeable to my ears.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

+1, I agree with the guys above. I also notice the effect more on a 3" strop than a narrower one.

i find sounds are different. As soon as i strop i hear different sounds between shave ready and not ready blade.

I agree with the above, but want to add one thing.

The way a sharp razor vs a dull razor feels and sounds will vary from strop to strop, so that's something to keep in mind as well. Like anything else, you need to "calibrate" to the individual strop.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I agree with the above, but want to add one thing.

The way a sharp razor vs a dull razor feels and sounds will vary from strop to strop, so that's something to keep in mind as well. Like anything else, you need to "calibrate" to the individual strop.

Usually after I finish honing a razor I use the way it feels on the strop as an indicator as to how sharp it is. The more draw the better and with some depending on the razor it will sing on the strop however Holly is correct in that it depends on the strop. I usually use my latigo which has loads of draw. My Horse has none at all.

Either way it's a one sided equation in my experience. If you have a strop that exhibits draw and the razor has none that means to me it ain't shave ready however even if it has loads of draw it ain't no guarantee it's shave read. Sometimes yes and sometimes no.