Thread: Am I stroping wrong?

I have red latigo hanging strop. I use it about 10-20 strokes each way every time before I use my razor. I've noticed it pulling again and used my recently acquired norton 4000/8000 stone to give it a light hone. (about 10 strokes on the 8000 side)

I only stroped it about 5 times after that and used it today. I had a much better shave, not perfect but pretty good.

I try to keep my spine on the strop at all times. I do put some light pressure on it. is that maybe causing me to round the edge?

should I get a paddle hone with some paste for better honing?

I pretty frustrated here.

thanks,
Seth

Seth,
Your stropping probably is a bit off.. For starters:
1) Just enough pressure to keep the blade flat
2) Do it slowly
3) STRETCH the strop
4) 20 strokes is the optimal figure before each shave. With experience you'll develop enough speed (naturally, don't ATTEMPT to do it faster) for it to take very little time

I'm a little confused about your frustration. I get a pulling sensation after a few shaves, hone the razor on the 8K, then strop and get a better shave all the time.

First, I suggest 4-6 passes on 8K, not 10 for a touch up. Second, follow Firestarts great advice and consider stropping 30 passes, KEEPING THE STROP TAUGHT!

Its possible you may have overhoned the edge alittle. Technically though 5 passes on the strop right after a honing should provide a nice shave. Its 10 shaves from now when the stropping really helps out. If you use a really fine finishing hone (and I consider any 8K close) you should get a good shaving edge. The second shave though should be a slightly different story, by the end of the week you should find the shave uncomfortable without stropping. Perhaps even intolerable.

well. I did 30 passes on my strop going VERY slow and LIGHT, my shave was better today. not great but pretty good.
thanks!

I think I may do a couple passes on the hone and then 30 passes on the strop.

how tight do you keep the strop? This time I held it pretty tight. Mine is tied to the bathroom door handle, maybe I should find somewhere tighter?

Just to make it nice and flat.. You don't have to pull the hook out of the door or anything like that lol.

Don't worry...after my first stropping I had to send my razor back to Lynn lol I think its pretty common. You will get the hang of the hanging strop (pun intended) pretty quickly, just go slow and keep the strop tight and flat. Going slow is key, even though it can be hard when you start to get into the groove...but thats when bad things can happen....

Seth,

You will only get better as time goes by.
Hang in there and relax......


Terry

When people say '30 strokes' do they mean 30 strokes each side? (or 15 'laps')

When people say '30 passes' do they mean 30 passes each side? (or 15 'laps')

30 on each side. But I'd do 20 in every case except for the first shave after honing the blade. Then you do 15 on the linen and 35 on the leather. Doing 30 passes won't do any damage (if you do it right) but in my case it's a waste of effort. Some people would disagree with me.

one time down the strop, and one time back up the strop covering both sides of the blade equals one round trip. Do that 20-30 times.

Scott