Thread: An experiment with hard stropping.

I've always used very slight pressure when stropping but I decided to try and see what would happen if I stropped with more pressure. A lot of pressure. Holding the strop quite firmly I used about as much pressure as I could, limited only by my fingers grip on the stem of the razor. I'm estimating about ten pounds or more of downward pressure on the strop. I did this for 20 strokes, far fewer stokes than my usual 60-80. The results on the first two razors I've tried were excellent. Keep in mind that I am in no way saying this is how it should be done but for me the results have been good enough that I'll keep trying it. Has anyone else tried really bearing down while stropping and if so, how were your results?

I had the same results once with an old vintage one I use. I have to be quite honest here, I put more than moderate pressure on all my razors and hold the strop very tight...has worked great for me for the last year and half...

At first, I was hesitant to use much pressure when stropping. After I learned how to hone, and how to accurately test my edges, I was more willing to experiment with pressure. My opinion is that moderate pressure, more than the whisper light touch often used, is fine and often best. Of course, my moderate might not be your moderate. But, some pressure is fine as long as the strop does not sag much.

Hold tight!

I suspect you are doing fine.

Sorry, I gotta treat 'em like a lady!

You gotta have patience and use a lot of long... slow... smooth stokes!

Too much pressure and you can ruin it. Ruining it and starting from scratch, just like a great relationship, and it may never be the same again!


Wait a minute, we were talking about razors right?

I've always found that the amount of pressure on the strop was a function of the strop and the razor in question. Sometimes I use a lot of pressure, sometimes a light touch - it all depends on what you feel through the razor and where the edge is at. I think if you try to concentrate on listening to what the edge is telling you, the appropriate amount of pressure (and laps) will just follow naturally.

James.

I'm wondering if the included angle and the hardness of the metal are also factors, here. Heck, isn't the pressure : area ratio also a factor (longer/wider razors)? How about whether the edge is a taped edge? Or increased with pasted strops?

I got rid of irritation after hard stropping.
There are no skin cuts.
The razor began to shave moustaches against growth of hair.
Did it once - after a honing. After only the easy stropping.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

I've always found that the amount of pressure on the strop was a function of the strop and the razor in question. Sometimes I use a lot of pressure, sometimes a light touch - it all depends on what you feel through the razor and where the edge is at. I think if you try to concentrate on listening to what the edge is telling you, the appropriate amount of pressure (and laps) will just follow naturally.

James.

Jimbo, I have no doubt you're on to some feedback inputs that give you info on how to proceed, when you're done, etc. If you're able to unpack or expand on 'listening to what the edge is telling you', it would be quite helpful. When you don't know what to listen for or what tactile sensation you're getting vs what sensation you seek - 'letting the edge/razor tell you...' remains a closed book. Its definitely a nice way to say it, but doesn't shed much light on what to listen for or what sensations tell you to make what changes in technique. This same description is used in honing - with the same result. 'Sounds cool, doesn't convey much to the guy dying to figure it out.

Originally Posted by pinklather

When you don't know what to listen for or what tactile sensation you're getting vs what sensation you seek - 'letting the edge/razor tell you...' remains a closed book. Its definitely a nice way to say it, but doesn't shed much light on what to listen for or what sensations tell you to make what changes in technique. This same description is used in honing - with the same result. 'Sounds cool, doesn't convey much to the guy dying to figure it out.

That's what experimentation and practice is for. Knowing that there *is* something to feel and listen for is in itself a great help. Ultimately we each must teach ourselves.

What can happen to razors with heavy stropping. It is a relative term.
First is a softer Dovo, well rolled. 2nd is a harder Bengall well chipped but less rolled.