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Thread: One idea for a practice strop.

  1. #1
    Senior Member blabbermouth niftyshaving's Avatar
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    Default One idea for a practice strop.

    Here is an idea for a practice strop.

    Take
    two Black Metal Binder Clips (or tape)
    two shoe lace long hunks of string.
    two sheets of news paper.

    Roll the news paper into a roll about 1.5 inches in diameter.
    My news paper is about 23 inches long which is about the
    length of a long strop.

    Apply the clips to both ends and
    tie on a loop of string. One to hang
    on a door knob or hook the other to hold.
    Put the end of the paper on the bottom.

    Now strop.

    The tube of news print is soft/ tender
    and will remind you to use a light touch.
    The tube should not collapse or fold
    if all you apply is the weight of the razor.

    It is narrow so practice an X stroke.
    If you own a wide leather strop you
    can skip the X stroke.

    Focus on a smooth turn over and
    a smooth light stroke. Keep the
    spine on the roll as you 'roll' the razor
    over between your first finger and thumb.

    Practice for a minute then
    take a two min break.

    Next make the roll with a single
    sheet of news paper. Again
    it will be 'tender' and inclined to
    collapse so use a light touch.

    An adding machine tape 2" to 3"
    wide can also be used but does
    not have the tender feeling that
    a roll of news print does.

    Keep the length of your stroke
    the same as your "real" strop. Perhaps
    a bit shorter so you would not bang into
    the rivets and hard bits on a strop.

    Smooth, light, correct turnover keeping
    the spine on the "strop".

    New paddle strop?...

    Make a roll of paper about the same length
    as the paddle. Mark an area that matches
    the strop surface length and location.
    ...or...
    Trace the outline of the paddle on cardboard.
    Cut it out and practice a light smooth stroke and correct
    thumb roll.

    If you nick it -- slow down and
    be smoother.

    Have fun.
    cudarunner and roughkype like this.

  2. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to niftyshaving For This Useful Post:

    cudarunner (08-17-2011), tinkersd (08-18-2011)

  3. #2
    Member MrIdentical's Avatar
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    Default

    Wish I'd read this when I started shaving! I nicked my first strop to hell and back! Good thing it was only $30 :P

  4. #3
    At Last, my Arm is Complete Again!! tinkersd's Avatar
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    I find that I just don't roll the razor between my thumb and forefinger, but with my other 3 fingers also, it makes a BIG difference to help keeping you wrist as flat as you can during the turn.
    that is I use all my fingers when I turn the razor on it's spine before the next stroke.
    IMHO hope that helps someone.
    niftyshaving likes this.

  5. #4
    Senior Member Peter57's Avatar
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    Another idea for a practice strop....

    I went to the local saddlery and bought a 2" x 4' piece of scrap saddle leather for $15 (on very expensive Long Island. I'm sure it could be had for much cheaper just about anywhere else). That price included the saddler putting a brass grommet in it so I could hang it easily. When I got home I promptly cut in in half and now I have two practice strops to play with, although I'll have to put the grommet in the second piece myself.

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