Thread: Strop tension: loose or taut?

I was taught to keep it taut.

X

Originally Posted by PuFFaH

Tension on a strop is relative to the weight you lay the razor on with. If you are suffering arm ache then you are possibly applying too much tension. Greater the hollow, lesser the weight and tension.

PuFF

I *really* need to revive this!

PuFF is a stropmeister. I am not even close, but would like to learn.

The quote I inserted - first too sentences are clear. The bold text though - not so much.

Namely, for hollows (lesser weight) I do use less pressure indeed but I find I want to / need to keep the strop much tighter than I can get away with for a wedge. I do the opposite of less tension - because it just feels right for the hollows.

I am interested to hear more on this

Cheers
Ivo

Ivo,
I notice a difference in razors when I strop too. I will often use a strop with less draw when doing a full hollow or any razor with a "delicate" feel like my TI Egyptian. On heavier grinds, half hollows, etc...I like more draw, less tension.



Tony

I'm definitely not a honemeister, but have come to realize that different grinds need slightly different techniques.

I generally keep my strop well-tensioned regardless of grind - as, for me, it takes that variable out of the equation and I can concentrate on how much pressure I use when stropping.

There's actually a fair bit of difference in the amount of pressure I use when stropping a 1/4 hollow vs something as thinly ground as a DD (I never really bear down on any razor, but there is a noticeable difference).

I also am getting a strop from Tony with less draw than my red latigo strop as I do think a strop with less draw might give me better results with the lighter grinds - that being said, there's absolutely nothing wrong with my current strop, I just like to complicate things.

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

Ivo,
I notice a difference in razors when I strop too. I will often use a strop with less draw when doing a full hollow or any razor with a "delicate" feel like my TI Egyptian. On heavier grinds, half hollows, etc...I like more draw, less tension.



Tony

Exactly, Tony! I also like less draw + more tension + lighter touch for full hollows and more draw + less tension + more pressure / heavier stroke for heavier grinds. Seems Chris is on the same page...

This goes against what PuFF was saying - "less tension for full follows" - so I was trying to understand more

Cheers
Ivo

IVO,
Puff goes contrary to many of our opinions but has a system that works very well for him and has lots of experience to draw on. His methods works for him and in e-mails we have exchanged I respect his knowledge and quest to perfect his methods. It shows that there are no hard set rules for this and we should experiment a little and develop what works for us.

It's great for newbies to have guidelines to follow but they should not fear to venture into uncharted territory and develop new methods.

My approach to much of this may not be typical anyway. By day I am scientist and engineer in a metals testing lab. I test and experiment and develop ideas based on those tests in the lab. By night I use the same approach with my strops. On my time though, what little is left, I use a gut feeling, emperical approach. A certain method just "feels" right when I do it. It's almost a zen visualization of what the metal, leather, edge is doing when I strop. Strange, I know but I can almost "see" this all happen in my mind when working.

Tony

Tony - thank you for the extensive post.

I didn't know PuFF is such a radical and I do respect his knowledge and experience - this is why I decided to revive the thread.

Yes, I also try to see how things come together in my mind and go by feel. I guess my feel and instinct coincides with yours but not with PuFF's. The thing is, we all know how elusive and plain wrong feel may be (as numerous psycho-physio -etc. experiments have proven) so I am just trying to learn as much as I can

Cheers
Ivo

Ivo,
Not saying he is radical at all. I am saying he bases his opinions on his personal experience, not just want he has read or what "ought to work". I meant my comments as a compliment to him as a fellow who developed his own path on much of this. He sees the taut/loose issue opposite you and I but has his own real reasons that work.

Many of the e-mails and calls I get are from guys who have read this or that and are perplexed as soon as they read something different. It's different for all of us.


When I started making strops I began based on not being 100% happy with what I could buy. I made what I thought would work using leathers that I chose through experimentation not based on what I ought to use. There is a large scrap pile to go with the proven products <g>. I read posts daily from guys wanting to make strops, etc.... asking about what they should use down to the last detail. if you wanted a duplicate of what's already been done, simply buy a commercial product. If you want a better mousetrap design one based on why the others don't work for you.

Tony

Tony,

I was just kidding about PuFF - being a foreigner sometimes I am not perfectly understood - both on language and intention level. What I said was certainly not meant to be disrespectful!

For the guys asking details how to duplicate strops - I think it may be just that they don't have too much extra $ but can spend several hours and save the labor costs... And not having too much extra $ they don't want to spend more $ experimenting...

On a separate note - Tony, please, check your e-mail - I am trying to order a couple of tidbits from you

Cheers
Ivo

Originally Posted by xman

I was taught to keep it taut.

X

That's what I tought --good tinking.