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Hey Guys,
So I know that honing technique on a smiling blade (such as a W&B Celebrated) is different from honing technique on a straight edge blade, but should stropping technique also change? Or do you continue using the standard X-Stroke as usual?
Justin
P.S. Happy St. Paddy's Day to everyone! :beer2:
I'm sure there is more than one way to skin a cat. The way I do it is make a normal stropping motion, but slowly "rock" the razor from toe to heel. The way it works out is that it takes maybe 4 or 5 strokes to get from the toe to the heel; think "heel, back middle, middle, front middle, toe." I go back and forth as many times as I feel like, usually totaling about 50 strokes or so. I find this easier than trying to do a whole "rock" on each stroke.
ok i think i follow you. so for every 1 x-stroke on a regular blade a smiling blade would need more like 4-5 strokes? so do you end up doing more total strokes or do you just keep it to the normal 50ish?
I smell a good how-to video project for someone with some extra time on their hands! :idea: any takers? anyone??? anyone???
I suppose technically you would need more strokes, but I just do the same amount. I haven't found it negatively affects my shaves, so I don't worry about it too much. It would be interesting to try to optimize shaves and edge life while minimizing strop strokes, but I don't have the time or inclination to try such an experiment.
If I had access to a video camera, I would gladly post a video. There are a few things I've been thinking about videoing, but still no camera...
well good info even without a video. thanks, man!
I have discovered at least five. Experiments continue...Quote:
Originally Posted by holli4pirating
Regarding the stropping: I've never had a blade with a smile so severe that regular x-stroke type stropping didn't work on it. The strop has enough give to allow it to flex and accomodate the smile. On a paddle strop you might need to do something different, I suppose.
I seem to recall posting on this topic very recently, but here it goes....
IME you don't need special strokes to strop a smiling edge. All I do is give the strop a bit of slack, allowing the entire blade to be in contact with the leather throughout the stroke. Works great for me. :)
good advice from you guys, as always. thanks!
I'm with Eric on this one. Even my smiling blades seem to get stropped just fine with regular stropping.
I guess if you had a blade with a really exaggerated smile then you might need to change your stroke slightly, and also if you were using a paddle strop with no give in it. But so far, for me, regular stropping seems to work fine.
I think you got really a good advice from srp member .
Please don't MAKE circular motion strokes you would be fine.this sounds funny but it has happen.
g.
TMI, brother. :fim:Quote:
Originally Posted by holli4pirating
You only see what you want to see, my friend. I was talking about other tutorial type things.Quote:
Originally Posted by pz93c
:rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2: Yeah, probably. :gaah:Quote:
Originally Posted by holli4pirating
Yep, I've worried about this as well. I've never really noticed any difference.
In theory, a narrow strop would work best. They ride along the smile and rotate slightly to maintain contact, an advantage similar to that from narrow hones.
Wide, un-cushioned, paddle strops would be the most problematic. Follow holli4's rocking method for that.
there is a 2 way blade could have smile.
1 is blade has been made that way.
in this case spine is even from tip to the heel . Usually you don't have to do anything.
2 case is a little different.
blade have smile face because of honer.
he may do this intentionally or unintentionally end result doesn't matter.
Spine has more hone wear compare to middle and heel side of the blade.
Now everything depends how much hone wear spine has.
if it is very little then strop will cover it. you don't have to worry about it again.
If there is too much hone wear on the spine then you may try to use x patter strokes on your strops.
hope this helps.
circular motion? on a strop? i dont think i follow you, because i dont think many people would do what it seems you are saying. please explain.
my razor doesnt have a huge smile, and my leather isnt particularly stiff though it is stiff.. i still do a bit of what holli was saying sometimes.