Thread: Holding a hanging strop

I can't believe this question isn't addressed somewhere in this forum but I haven't found it yet. So, when you hold a hanging strop, and assuming your strop has both a leather and linen strop fastened together at the top, do you hold both strops together as you work or just the side you are stropping on and let the other piece just dangle? I had seen it done both ways and started out holding both together. But then I saw a video with the side not being used just dangling so started trying it that way. I think I have more control and feel but thought I would see how others handle this, especially those with more experience than I have.

"Hello, my name is MapleLeafAlumnus and I'm addicted to stropping."
I usually let one dangle. As a rookie many...ahem...moons ago, I used to hold both whilst stropping. I guess I've just gotten lazy in my middle-age.

I only hold the side I'm using. Seems to work well enough.

Well, I'm a both holder. No particular reason. Except on some cloth, web, linen I like the extra backing for a little more consistency. But, really!

Regards,

Howard

I hold one component at a time, but I always have to steady the other, hanging component first to stop it moving about before I start stropping. Learned the hard way, I'm sad to say.... Still have nightmares of the 'gash' that resulted on my first strop!

I'm waiting for the noble and gallant SirStropalot to chime in with his expertise.

Originally Posted by mapleleafalumnus

I'm waiting for the noble and gallant SirStropalot to chime in with his expertise.

How expert is this?

And once again the dashing SirStropalot rides in to save the day!

I hold both, I just like the way it feels.

The top with my right hand and the bottom with my left. No, it might be the other way around... Or is it both with both hands? Have to check in the morning(:-).