Thread: Is it possible to over strop?

Originally Posted by poppy926

Is it possible to over strop a razor?

A little history. I have been shaving with a razor (Henckels 415) I honed myself and it shaved great for a few shave but I know my stropping was not up to snuff. After watching the Wiki videos it has improved. Recently I re-honed and as someone said on another thread I stropped the "bejesus" out of it (10 felt w/.5 diamond spray, 60 rough leather, and 150 premium I leather) on a modular paddle strop.

Also would like some suggestion on daily stropping with my current setup. At least until I get a hanging strop!!!

Thanks in advance
James

The modular paddle strop is a tough act to follow.

Slow deliberate stropping on a paddle could be
the best option for a beginner. Too many beginners try
to use a hanging strop they way ya might see in
the movies. Movie style stropping almost always
dulls a blade.

Stick with 10-20 laps on your 0.5 micron felt
and 30-60 on smooth leather. The 10
strokes on felt will clean the steel and
make it leather ready. Either rough
leather or premium leather should strop
your edge just fine for shaving.

Adjust as needed based on your shave tests.

When you add a hanging strop to your kit,
start slow and smooth. Speed will catch
you... you will not catch it...

Edit: you may skip refreshing the 0.5 diamond on your felt
except for stropping after honing. i.e. You should not
need any additional abrasive for normal stropping.

One of the senior members stropped with a submicron
pasted strop for months and did not notice any problem
so no worries if you wish to spray away all you diamonds.