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I have only stropped 3 times.
I watched many videos and I do it relatively slowly on my "Poorman's Strop" from Whipped Dog. I do it on my counter. I got this strop because I was warned that I would likely ruin one. I even got a back up.
But so far, I dont think I can see how I would cut it. I'm not saying this to brag (3 times lol) but I'm asking what are the common ways that folks ruin a strop so that I can proactively avoid making those mistakes?
Thanks.
A common way to cut a strop is to flip the blade before you reverse stropping direction. While it is pretty obvious that this should never be done, sometimes the motions get really fluid and bleed together;)
Another way that I have nicked a strop (much more common on knives than razors) is when I set the blade on the strop, and before I intend to start moving, the blade moves in any direction other than spine leading as I find my angle. A really soft strop and a really sharp blade...cuts can happen almost without realizing it. Most commonly the blade moves in a direction nearly parallel with the edge (just like when you cut your face shaving...that (in theory) should never happen either:))
In the end, its like locking the keys in your car...it SHOULD never happen, but when you let your concentration lapse, or try and get in too big of a hurry and stuff happens:D
Lifting the spine and the heel catches the edge of the strop and digs in. Lifting the heel during an x-stroke and the tip catches the edge of the strop. Too much pressure towards the blade and catches the edge of the strop. Flipping the razor edge down. Too much slack in the strop. Anybody else? These are just the ones I could think of off the top of my head. :thinking:
Does anyone actually do that? that would definitely qualify as a risky practice;)Quote:
Originally Posted by tiddle
I think you pretty well have them covered...but any time you introduce the human element failure possibilities are almost limitless:D
I tend to go slow on stropping but that will not stop the occasional nick. I have a couple right near the handle on my strop. Its the only place i have found any on my strop so I think its from me initially laying the blade on the strop.
You have something to brag about. In 2 1/2 years I have two messed up strops, and I've got two good ones ready that I've waited a long time to use until I finally get the hang of it. Very frustrating!Quote:
Originally Posted by EggSuckingLeech
I think I'm naturally clumsy, which may contribute to my steep learning curve. Second, I'm trying to learn how to do it without bending my wrists, which means I have to flip the shank of the razor between thumb and forefinger while maintaining control of the razor. I find that challenging. If the timing of the flipping and the passing of the blade along the leather is disrupted, you've got the blade in an awkward position where the strop can get nicked or cut.
Some people, for instance those who are mechanically inclined, may be able to pick this up easier than others.
Given my experience I would suggest your gaining a little experience on the Poorman's Strop before getting an expensive one. It's about the time when you think you've got it by the tail that the unexpected happens.
I only go 3/4 across my strop down and back trying to avoiding getting careless and running the edge into the folded leather where the push pins are connected; one of those...crap! well won't do that again situations :banghead:
It will happen...I went my first 6 months or so without it, then messed up two strops. Let your mind wonder or get off task is how I did mine.
My first was a slice. SWMBO asked me a question and instead of removing the blade from the strop I just paused at the top of the strop...but didn't flip. Downward stroke got about an inch of the strop before I could stop the motion. That soft SRD strop leather didn't even harm the edge...but had to order a replacement leather.
Yes, the feathery little "fillets" at each end of the strop are an indication that you are completing your flip before you have changed the direction of movement of the razor. To fix that you need to work on your flip so that it is fully controlled, and perhaps slow down a bit. You can also start the flip early and leave only the spine touching the strop for the last 3-6 inches of the motion, then complete the flip once the direction has changed. A two-stage flip if you like: horizontal to vertical....hold ...... vertical to horizontal (in other direction, of course).
Other, bigger nicks or cuts are usually as shooter describes: attention is not fully on the job. And then of course there is just plain stupidity - I am a master of that. Let's just say juggle stropping is something only trained professionals should try...
James.
I don't have anything to add to the ways guys end up cutting their strops, but I will say you're smart to start out by laying your strop flat on the counter and stropping there. This method forces you to slow down and you can really pay attention to things like how much pressure you're putting on the blade and how much contact your edge is making with the strop. You'll also master the flip this way. All this means that you'll be less likely to cut your hanging strop out of inexperience. You still have to pay attention to what you're doing, but this method will put you in pretty good shape.Quote:
Originally Posted by EggSuckingLeech
I wonder the same thing, I have never cut mine. The most damage done to my go to strop was my son decided to take a bite from it so it has some teeth marks.
I have been guilty of the early flip filets. I have not committed one in a while (knock on wood). Most times with them, I didn't even notice I had taken a little filet out until I was done stropping. They tend to be quite small most times. A pumice stone takes them out in no time. Never cut my strop any other way than that though.
I hope your no-cut streak continues!!
I actually didn't cut a strop until I considered myself proficient. Then, one day my mind wandered and boom...there went my favourite 'roo leather strop.
A similar and related question could be, "how do people make mistakes?" If you do it right, you won't mess up.
Even so, no matter how simple or carefully crafted is the design, nothing is idiot-proof!
I've asked myself the same question, and another member and I were discussing this just last week. I still have no idea :shrug: I have put some minor nicks in my first strop but if you take it slow and focus, at least IMO, you should never actually cut your strop.
I felt the same way. Then I cut mine.
Maybe one experience says how easy it is to at least nick your strop. The light socket in the room was not working so for several months I had to strop in semi-darkness. Thought I was improving by stropping "in the dark" because I wasn't worrying about messing up. When I got the light back, I saw all those nicks I didn't realize I was making.
I honestly think the reason I don't get tired of straight razor shaving is the endless challenge it presents. Once I think it have something perfected I'm knocked on my derrier and it's back to the drawing board. When I re-establish a skill it is so gratifying to feel like an expert at something.
And the good thing, at least in my experience so far, is that if you are prepared to always review and critique yourself, that improving and endless challenge doesn't stop. Who'd have thought that about shaving? We've turned an everyday little task into an everyday time-pocket of joy and relaxation. You can't get cooler than that. :)
James.
3 times, eh? Watch out for that fourth time...it's a doozy.Quote:
Originally Posted by EggSuckingLeech
heh - well I'm not proud and I just wanted to say it up front that I do not in any way know what I'm doing yet. Scanning thru my many other posts, this will quickly become evident and obvious :)Quote:
Originally Posted by honedright
My wife continues to roll her eyes that I'm even bothering as I walk out of the bathroom all red faced and abused looking.
I had nicked my strop a couple of times on my first attempt at stropping, at the bottom of the strop. At took me a couple of passes to realize that the issues was because I was laying my edge on the strop before I had completely moved it to the side for the upward stroke. Now I'm getting into the habit of actually starting on the stroke prior to completely laying the edge onto the leather. Since then haven't had a single issue.
Use a butter knife to practice all your new moves on a strop before actually laying real razor on your strop.
I have never mastered the fast flip. Don't have the dexterity, I suppose. I am very deliberate to flip the other way.
I set the spine down first and begin my stroke as I set the edge down. I use the more narrow strops and use an X.
I finish the stroke gently off the strop. Slow, but sure, I have never cut my strop. (knock on wood)
I think I have too many razors. The tang is different on almost every one of them. They each flip differently, some are jimped (some top, some bottom, some both) some are wide, some are contoured, some are blocky. I wish I could say I am good enough to never flub a flip, but I fumble and flop sometimes and that can lead to a fillet and an exclamation of "fudge!"
Except its not "fudge"...it's the granddaddy of all swear words it's the F, dash, dash, dash word. (Sorry,I'm giddy tonight).
Edit to add...it's definitely not too many razors...it's not enough. More razors=more practice=more skills.
That's the ticket!
I have personally chopped up two. And when I say chopped up I literally mean chopped, well one was chopped the other one was nearly wacked in half, in fact I was quite proud after the fact, that I honed such a keen edge. Give it time and you will join the club :tu
Scookum --Quote:
Originally Posted by Scookum
Incidere in dimidium is not meant to apply to strops!
Iduno about most folks, but I cut my strop with a razor...
I love that movie!Quote:
Originally Posted by unit
Well played. I, at first, thought this was perhaps a request and was going to offer to help a brother out..."send me yer strop and I'll do it for yas" :DQuote:
Originally Posted by JackofDiamonds
Here's one way to cut your strop: you are stropping, up the strop, down the strop, shrttt, shrttt, shrttt and you remember the first time you took your home schooled Springer off leash in some neglected farmland along the Sacramento River on the first day of pheasant season some 30 years ago. Right away he jumps a jackrabbit and runs to the end of the field and further...the birds are airborne here and there, shrttt, shrttt, shrttt......a long way from gun....shrttt.....Damn!
You might find a cut in your strop if you have a couple drinks and take it upon yourself to strop your rotation. Not that I know from experience ... >.>
But seriously folks, friends don't let friends drink and strop.
I cut mine all the time, but I wear a catchers mitt and hockey mask when I strop... i don't want to talk about it....