I was wondering if different Grinds like different Draws? Would a thick grind like a heavy draw and an extra hollow like a light draw?
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I was wondering if different Grinds like different Draws? Would a thick grind like a heavy draw and an extra hollow like a light draw?
I have not noticed any difference, remember the edge is just as fine for hollow as is for a wedge grind, I use Kanayama 10k strop. For me draw is personal preference when one chooses a strop.
I don't know if this applies, but I think a big, full wedge grind likes a bit of slack in the strop, while a full hollow likes a taught strop :)
No. You are using the word draw incorrectly. Draw is a result of several factors. One of those factors being pressure. And pressure on the strop seems to be what you are alluding to. IMO, there is a maximum acceptable pressure needed in order to realign the micron thin edge of a straight razor. Draw is more commonly an indicator of a good fine edge, while using extra pressure can give you "false draw readings". Use light pressure. If you do not receive any feedback from the strop in the form of draw, then your edge is not yet ready, or you are not properly utilyzing the equipment. JMHO
ok, thanks guys. I've been reading a lot about stropping and had some questions. Thanks again
The reality of Draw is: it means nothing,nada,zip,nothing but a feeling that has zero effect on an edge.
Good question. I think in general the answer is very subjective as all things straight razor are. Some of what has been said above is correct, imo. As shavers become more experienced with different types of leather and different finishes on the leathers we begin to make a subjective decision about what feels right to us in terms of feedback from stropping and the resulting edge we shave with. If you continue wetshaving with a straight razor andQuote:
Originally Posted by rcavazos1922
you accumulate more razors and a few different strops you will by trial and error answer your question because whatever you are doing will ultimately work for you. Personally I am at the point where I can get a satisfactory shave using any of my razors stropped on any of my strops. YMMV.
So different strops just feel different but all do the same thing. I wonder then why do some people use "finishing strops"? Do they believe it will give a more "delicate" finish to the edge?
If you are speaking of a leather strop, untreated, I do not know what a "finishing" strop is. None of my leather strops have any treatments other than what the maker may have used to turn leather into a razor strop. Every straight I shave with is finished on whatever strop suits me at the time.
I mean, some people say I start with "so and so" strop and finish with a SRD Premium 1.Quote:
Originally Posted by lz6
Basically its just what works for each of us..is it a mental state...maybe...lol. Or maybe its what we've proven to ourselves.Quote:
Originally Posted by rcavazos1922
I have an SRD Latigo and a Natural as well as a pasted paddle and a Dovo Strop. For me after I hone or when I shave I usually go to the Latigo first as it has more draw and then finish off on the natural as its slicker...does it make any real difference..in all honesty I doubt it...both do the same in the end:)
So to you, the Latigo is a 8000 stone and the Natural is a 12000 stone? :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Catrentshaving
I got a shell strop a couple of months ago, and it's got almost no draw at all. In my experience with it, that light draw makes my edges better. Might be a gazebo effect, or a placebo effect, or might really be happening. I don't use my latigo strop at all any more, and my Chicago steerhide just gets used for post-shave cleanup stropping.
I know of one user who swears his extra-hollow blades work significantly better off the zero-draw shell strop, but I cannot speak to particular relationships from my own experience. I just like light-draw strops now, for all my blades, now that I've experienced one.
I also have the SRD modular paddle--that's a good tool.
lol...ummm..nope. My finishing stone when I hone is about 15k. The strop merely aligns the edge. For me its all in my head..I think...lol. The quicker draw on the natural allows me a slightly faster stroke..just a different feel. I use both to justify the need for them both to hang there...but in all honesty for me they do the same thing.Quote:
Originally Posted by rcavazos1922
Don't get overly obsessed about it. Sometimes, we overcomplicate things around here :)
Draw is just the feeling of a strop. Some prefer one way, some another. Whether it affects your edges in any noticeable way will be more dependent on your technique than on the draw, provided you have a decent, smooth piece of leather.
I was informed a few years ago by the CEO of Fromm Int'l, Bill Simon, the son of the founder of the Illinois Razor Strop Company (now Fromm), and who worked in strop production for many years, that generally shell strops were considered best (within the barbering community) for full hollow ground razors, and Russia strops for the thicker wedge razors which was often the "starter" razor for barber college students.
Now that's going to be in the back of my head....I got to get a shell strop now! LOL :DQuote:
Originally Posted by honedright
As long as the tanned animal ass isn't my own, it's good! Draw just gives you a little 'feedback' as to what you're doing. I rub my hand over my strop about 50 good hard and fast strokes to heat up the leather and give me a little more draw or feedback as opposed to a cold, hard strop. I like the little bit of extra 'grab' I get from doing that, and the oils from my hands naturally condition the strop as well.
The Horse strops were considered best by barbers because they were heavy duty and thick and last forever. It had nothing to do with the result. No barber I ever saw had two strops hanging from his chair. They had only one leather one. Unless you're talking way way back in the late 1800s or very early 1900s wedge razors fell out of favor with barbers once hollow grinds came out and became popular. Very few barbers used wedges. Maybe a few real old timers who learned the trade in the 1800s.Quote:
Originally Posted by honedright
I was just repeating what Mr. Simon told me. Whether or not he was correct or accurate, I don't know. Because of his involvement with IRS Co, I believe he is credible.Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
i just prefer light slick draw
I'm just going by what I remember back in the 1950s going into barber shops.Quote:
Originally Posted by honedright
It was a long time ago and I didn't give a rats butt about shaving and straights then of course but to this day I remember the razors sitting in the barbercide jar and the strops on the chair and watching the barber shave guys and strop their razors and the smells of the shops. It was like it was yesterday.
Lately, I've been using the Horsehide strops. Very slick, no draw at all. It is personal preference.
Yes, I've found that to be true, especially for a big ol' Sheffield Wedge :)Quote:
Originally Posted by sheffieldlover
Out of curiosity, what are you basing that statement upon?Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
Draw does make a big difference, I actually went to Tandy Leather and felt about 10 different leather pieces, decided on one particular Veg Tanned Natural Double Shoulder and made myself and my friends new 2", 2 1/2", and 3" strop pieces. I removed my nicked Fromm Latigo and really enjoy shaves from all my razors more now.
I did also get some suede leather and pasted it to handmade paddles to apply different pastes. It's actually quite fun, and you get the experience with the leather. One of the really fun parts for me was just working with the leather and playing around. It's been too many years since I got to do that as a boy scout out in Wyoming.
The draw is a personal thing, and when I want more draw I add more skin oil to the strop, palm of hand, nose(if necessary). If I want less draw I use my other strop and only give it a little rub down!
I find that there isn't a lot of difference for me as to the grind, just the feel. And yes, you can strop a lot faster on a strop with less draw!
What was it like yesterday?Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
Depends where you live. it was hot and dry over here.Quote:
Originally Posted by honedright
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Originally Posted by thebigspendur
I, too, have memories of long ago sitting in barber shops watching the magic of the straight razor on the strop. I got my first barber cut probably 1947 or so. I was immediately fascinated and I still am. The smell of an oldtime barber shop was unmistakeable. LIFE magazine, LOOK magazine and comic books. Everybody had shined shoes. Take me back................
JERRY
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