Thread: Different Draws

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.

Originally Posted by rcavazos1922

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?

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 and
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.

Originally Posted by lz6

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.