Thread: Do you really need to cloth strop ?

Originally Posted by Maxi

For what it's worth, I like 30 or so on cloth and 60 on leather. I haven't found a huge improvement going higher, but I have noticed that my cheeks don't like it if I'm on the low end of stropping.

Plus, I really like the feedback on my Premium I, so I strop often.

I've learned that stropping has to be an "awake" activity, which is why I tend to strop at night before bed. When I was stropping in the morning, I'd get the occasional knick.

Have you checked out AFDavis11's stropping video? His camera perspectives really show what your fingers should be doing. It's an excellent video.

**The video is the first "sticky" in this forum.

I don't think I've seen this one. Could you tell me where to find it? (Sorry, I don't know what a sticky is).

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

I don't think I've seen this one. Could you tell me where to find it? (Sorry, I don't know what a sticky is).

Here it is. A "sticky" is a thread deemed essential enough to always remain at the forefront of a forum menu. If you go to any forum directly , rather than accessing 'new posts' you will see stickies with the titles in red.

Is a string long?

What a great thread. Surprised I never found it before. It seems that most here use varied approaches to the same technique, and have found similar results. I'd like to start by mentioning that I never start with more than a few strokes on leather on a razor I have shaved with before. I have found many that will be just fine with that for a number of shaves. I suspect I have come across some overhoned razors from the guys who need 100 of this and 100 that. It could be a neater world, but the truth is I hone and strop a number of razors that repsond quite differently to my efforts. Maybe my efforts could always be the same, but why would I want to make 100 passes if 20 reach the same point? There are very few razors that even identical modles from the same manufacturer will produce identical results from identical efforts. Each razor has its own set of quality of steel, hardness, and temper, not to mention width at bevel and enviornmental exposures. Each strop has its own qualities and will produce near same results, but not necessarily with the same effort. I believe in constant testing and feedback through the honing and stropping process. I don't have enough hair for that so use unaccepted methods. I know, shame on me. (Shhh, don't tell anybody) Since we are discussing strops and stopping I will confine my chat to that. When I think a razor is ready I head for the ultimate, and only really revelent test, on my face. There are a number of strops hanging on the door behind me. I'll start the process with about 30 laps on leather. If I am not satisfied that the razor is sharp enough, on the first stroke, I will give it 30 or so laps on the cloth, and follow with more until I am satisfied it is sharp enough. If at that point I feel the shave could be softer and smoother, then I go to the leather to produce that. Maybe starting with as little as 20, and following with more as I believe are probably necessary. I have found, that on some razors, too much leather can begin to loose a little keeness, and then you need to find the best compromise. But this entire process is usually finished before I finish the first cheek. I have a difficult time understanding the guys that strop tonight and shave tomorrow, with the strops in another room. What do you do if the edge is not quite right? Walk back and forth? Or endure a shave that you know is less than expected? Mostly, the razors we deal with are all different in their reactions to our efforts, why would we treat them all the same or expect them to act the same. I have found that most razors can give quite satisfactory shaves for quite some time, with a good leather and linen strop, but eventually frown and chips will require honing. All of this is a little difficult for newbies. Over doing each step is often the only replacement for experience and sensativiety to what the razor is doing on your face. Sorry newbies, you will have to keep doing the 100 strokes for a while. To complicate your lives just a little more, I have found that speed improves the edge faster, and cuts the number of passes necessary for the same results, at least on the cloth strops. Just MHO

does the typr of canvas make a difference for stropping? I have some fairly heavy canvas that is almost like the canvas from a covered wagon. would that be ok?

Originally Posted by One2mny

does the typr of canvas make a difference for stropping? I have some fairly heavy canvas that is almost like the canvas from a covered wagon. would that be ok?

Probably would. The old barbers strops used a linen, or canvas, that was very like that used in old firehose. Much stiffer and thicker than that supplied with current strops. I've used seat belts, shoulder harness from a nascar racing car. All worked.

The harder and more coarse the fabric the greater the effect. Kind of like comparing a 4K hone to an 8K of course on a much smaller scale.

The real king of fabrics in the old days was silk. They made this knobby silk fabric which was very expensive and few could afford. Linen was the top of the line for most including barbers. My red Imp Strop comes with the most wonderful of linen I have ever seen.

I have tried at least 4 different materials that came with strops. One on an Illinois strop was a little stiffer than my preference. All accomplished much the same effect, although I have found one that seems to heat the edge faster and has a quicker, more pronounced effect on the edge, without fear of damage to the edge. The one I found is a little stiffer than seat belt material, but similar, with a tighter weave, but only slightly coarser finish. When stropping on cloth, I always use my fastest, yet lightest technique. Many cloth strops will produce a velvety edge within 40-50 very light, very fast laps. Under 60 seconds. I sometimes try the razor right off the cloth strop, but usually find a finish of 20 or so laps on leather gives the finest finish. For Newbies: Caution!: Trying to go faster than you are ready for can cut more than the strop.