Thread: Old question about stropping

linen is to be used before the leather. you should dedicate a separate, preferably a paddle, strop for any pastes you want. normally you will only be need the pasted strops to refresh an edge, not for daily use.

Originally Posted by syslight

linen is to be used before the leather. you should dedicate a separate, preferably a paddle, strop for any pastes you want. normally you will only be need the pasted strops to refresh an edge, not for daily use.

The linen, if you use it at all, should be stropped before the leather. No one really knows for sure if the linen does anything but clean the bevel and edge before going to the leather. But many insist that the linen does help. I am just not one of them.

As stated, pastes like CrO are more reliably used on a solid leather or balsa surface. I think they may round the edge when used improperly on a loose strop.

Confusing, huh? Linen is a pre leather treatment, less aggressive and does clean the edge, but also realigns the edge. Leather continues the realignment, and both linen and leather remove some metal aiding in sharpening. CROX, I prefer to use it on the webbed fabric from SRD, or the pressed wool also from SRD and both on a hanging strop and generally after a honing appication. You can use it as a refreshing application for maintenance, but sparingly. A paddle strop, too me, is more of a modified honing application. It has it's place, but I much prefer a hanging strop for daily maintenance and edge maintenance until a touchup is needed. If you over use the CROX on a hanging strop and have bad technique or just go too long between touchups you can experience some rounding to the bevel, but a touchup on a barber hone or other honing system can easily correct this. A nice sharp edge from the hones, modest use of CROX or other applications, and good technique will give you many enjoyable shaves! Good shaving and great edges!

Regards,

Howard