Thread: A Quantitative Description of Correct Stropping Pressure for our Newcomers

After reading over some of these responses I would be interested to see how many people when they strop get about 1/2"-1" of deflection when they strop and how many people use only the middle portion of there strop normally.

I know for me I am normally closer to 1" of deflection when I strop and that I only use about 12" -15" of my 24" strop to actually strop on.

This might be the better advise to give to newbies then pressure if it works out that most of us are in this range.

Originally Posted by randydance062449

This is a tough one. Just my $.02.... when a new guy comes to my house I have them demonstrate their stropping for me. In all cases they are doing at least one thing wrong and usually 2. The tautness of the strop is not being held consistent. Frequently this is caused by them using to long of a stroke. I point this out to them and tell them to keep it taut but don't pull the hanger out of the wall.

Then I notice that they are being very cautious and super light on their stroke. I explain that by doing so they are occasionally raising the edge off the leather and getting no benefit. I show them how I strop and point out that my strop deflects by about 1/2"-1" at the midpoint of the stroke. While I am demonstrating this I have them hold the other end so the can feel how taut I am holding the strop. Then I have them practice stropping some more and watch them. This seems to help the new guys.

I like the fish scale idea. I will be giving that a try.


This has been a very good thread. Thanks to all.

+1 to what Randy said. This is what I noticed in one of Sham's vids that was something I could emulate.

Originally Posted by Castel33

After reading over some of these responses I would be interested to see how many people when they strop get about 1/2"-1" of deflection when they strop and how many people use only the middle portion of there strop normally.

I know for me I am normally closer to 1" of deflection when I strop and that I only use about 12" -15" of my 24" strop to actually strop on.

This might be the better advise to give to newbies then pressure if it works out that most of us are in this range.

I am certainly NO expert, but when stropping a Genco back up to par after spending several stropping sessions with all the problems Randy mentioned, I had more of a 1" depression. This was more of a "corrective" action though. Since then I've stropped with more of a 1/2" depression and I'm very happy with the results.

I think the fish scale's a neat idea, but it's too hard to emulate. Does a newbie have to go out a buy a fish scale to see if they're doing it right, and what if their strop is lighter/heavier than the measured strop? It will require more or less weight/pull to reach the desired tension (taut).

For me, I pull my strops (canvas, & two different weights of leather) just tight enough that they're level. If you wanted to get real picky, they might sag 1mm or 1/8". At that tension they're taut but not tight, regardless of how light or heavy they are. Then I strop with about 1/2" depression in the middle of the stroke. I think both of these are fairly easy for a guy to judge on his own without the benefit of a mentor there showing him the ropes.

Oh, and I use a long stroke, but I stroke from left to right and vice versa, instead of away and toward. It gets me an arc that covers the length of the blade, as an X stroke would cover the length of the blade...It works, but it may or may not be the best way to do it.

Peace,

i'm a newbie and i think the only good way to learn stropping would be to spend some time face to face with someone who knows how to do it and can show you. Probably doing that would take minutes instead of months.

if there are any good stroppers in atlanta (decatur) that wouldn't mind giving me a true lesson i would appreciate it.