Thread: How many laps for a noob

How many laps should I do on my strop? Simple question, stock answer is to find what works for you but a noob just starting out does not know what works for them, in fact they probably won't be able to tell the difference because they are struggling with all the other factors that go into a good straight razor shave.

What I am looking for is a recomended starting point. I have only been at this a couple months so I am still pretty noobish myself and don't feel I can give a valid answer.

PS I botched that title, I really need to learn to proofread!

Hmm what strop do you use?
I do most my stropping in the afternoon so not sure if this apply.
50 linen 50 leather is the numbers i used when i was counting

Originally Posted by Danricgro

PS I botched that title, I really need to learn to proofread!

Got it for ya !!!


I also think 50 leather is a good starting point then adjust down until you feel a difference, you can adjust up until you feel no difference....

The Linen/Webbing/Canvas/Wool stropping is a bit more difficult to nail down to a number if I had to I would say 25 ....

I normally recommend 10-30 on the linen and 50-60 on the leather for new guys. You really need to find out what works for you and this will come as you strop and shave more. Some people strop up into the 100's, so the field is open. I do think that you need at least 50 on the leather for a decent stropping, but this is only my preference.

Have fun,

Lynn

danricgro,

I, like many others, use the same number of laps on the strop(s) each day out of habit !

I so 25 laps on the linen (hanger), and 75 on the leather (paddle).

I have been doing this for two years now, and there is no 'scientific' basis for these numbers, just habit and it works

Follow Mr Abrams' advice, and you will be good to go

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Originally Posted by PhatMan

...snip....

Follow Mr Abrams' advice, and you will be good to go

Have fun !

+1 on follow Mr Abrams' advice,
+1 on have fun.

The one thing for someone new to this group should
watch out for is the mix of "honemaster" talk that sometimes
contrasts with "shaver" talk.

After honing a razor from dull to shave ready the
strop canvas/ leather ratio is canvas heavy.
40 canvas 60 leather.. adjust as needed.

After shaving with a previously well honed razor
it is common to skip the canvas side and just
strop on leather. 5-10 canvas, 40 leather adjust
as needed.

A common measure for stropping is set more by
the "Lathering" process than by count. Lathering
can include minute long soak periods. So
a prelather, strop for 30 seconds, followed by a
relather then at about three min of lathering the
whiskers seem softer, the lather rich and ready,
the whiskers well soaked and the razor has been
stropped all it needs.

Folk that limit the strop time inadvertently omit
some of the critical "Lathering" steps. Folks that
strop smoothly and deliberately with water
or lather on their face tend to get a better shave.
Sometimes it is the razor more often the improvement
is because "lathering timing" was better....

My old barber would lather my neck, dry his hands
then pick up his razor and strop it smoothly and
gently. Then tidy up the his work area and only then
pick up the razor and shave my neck and sides.

If the razor was not sharp enough he would draw
and apply some more hot lather and then go back to the
strop. Sometimes swapping razors. But mostly
it was the lathering timing that made the difference.

I found (years ago) when I did the stropping experiment 60 passes on leather seemed to be the sweet spot. Much more and there was no further benefit and much less and there was need for improvement. As far as the fabric goes it depends on the material but around 20 or so is what I do.