Thread: Is It Possible To Strop Too Much?

Originally Posted by unit

Why strop after the shave?...I guess I just am not ready for the fun to end

I always do 20 leather after rinsing and wiping the blade with a tissue. Insurance against micro grunge that might be in the striations of the bevel. Can't be too careful.

I don't usually count, I more or less feel when it's time to stop. For me (could be in my head), but when the edge seems to feel smoother I move on to the next or stop.

Typically it's about 30 seconds linen and 60 leather.

Like said above, of you technique is good and you enjoy it then strop away

Originally Posted by unit

Well...if it starts to adversely affect your family life and job, you might want to seek help. As long as you keep your priorities straight (and your technique good), you should be OK.

"Hello, my name is Mapleleafalumnus and I have a stropping addiction."

For me it's about a good run. Sometimes it takes a few starts but the aim is around 20-30 strokes in a row that feel 'just right' on linen or leather. Sometimes I'm in the zone, others not.

Just don't get carried away there. You don't want to go blind do you?

I usually go 50 laps. On the big wedges, it seems more is better! I feel a lot has to do with leather, technique, and the particular blade being stropped.

I doubt that you could strop so much that you'd damage your edge, just from stropping. I think your arm would fall off first. But I would agree that you can strop too much in that there is only a certain amount of stropping that will be of greatest benefit. Any stropping beyond that point is too much and unneccessary.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Just don't get carried away there. You don't want to go blind do you?

What exactly are you stropping on?

I do 40/60 while I have my face soaking with a full face of lather, gives it time to soften up the beard, I usually keep my beard covered with lather for about 8 to 9 minutes total before I put blade to skin. I also strop 20/20 after the shave to help in drying the actual edge of the blade before oiling it up and putting it away.

My 2cents.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Just don't get carried away there. You don't want to go blind do you?

Well, at least if your palms start growing hair - you have the razor right there.

If no palm hair, you can just keep stropping until you need glasses.