Thread: New strop, new to stropping

Well, I just got my new tony miller strop ....and what a beauty!!!
Can anyone offer advice to a first time user? My question is since I have had pretty good success with a well honed razor for my first two shaves of a light beard, should I strop before the third shave or continue using the razor until I feel some change?

If I should strop, then what side linen or leather first, and how much? Any tips on using a strop attached to a doorknob re: technique? I understand the blade should be flat, spine and edge. Any pressure at all? How do you get a smooth flip/roll over?

Any help is appreciated...I'd hate to inadvertantly damage either strop or razor.

I am very new also, but I bought Lynn's dvd with my new razor purchase and it clearly say's strop before every shave. You use an ex pattern. I think there may be a video link on this site somewhere that shows the proper method. I am also certain that some of the senior guys in here will chime up quickly and help you out. They are very helpful
Donald

Generally you strop on the linen then the leather. I try to just use the weight of the razor on the strop..focus on keeping it totally flat. Speed is not an issue, faster isn't necessarily better.

I use Tony's "seconds" strop that came with my #1 Best. That has a rawhide thong that attaches to my doorknob. I just snug the bead up to the bottom of the knob "locking" it in place, and grab the tail end. I hold the tail slightly higher than horizontal. Strop in a x-pattern.

For the roll over..the key once again is to go slow. With time it becomes second nature. Take it slow the first couple of times..you don't want to nick that beautiful strop.

You can practice with a butter knife to get the feel of it.

Hope that helps.

Ray

10 trips up and down the linen followed by 30 trips on leather should get your blade just right.

I second that motion. and yes you should strop befor every shave.

Eddie

Stigmata,
There should have been about 4 pages of instructions stapled and folded right next to the strop in the box explaining it's use <g>.

If you send me a direct e-mail I'll attach a copy to my reply.

Tony

Tony, I think you need to make a personal experience as a part of a regular tour

I have been recently looking around for some new style razors and came up with about half a dozen that i want. But i have also noticed that alot of the Dovo ones have "Dovo Inox" gold washed on blade, or something to the same effect, does this eventually ware off easily or is it permenant?

I am also the same i got my First straight yesturday and loving it, but it passed the HHT and the Thumb nail thingy, but i know it still needs hand honing becuase it seemed to drag a little, hopefully only another month or so untill i become a 100% convinced Straight User

Thanks, I have those instructions. I just thought I'd ask for some "tips".
BTW, that's one nice piece of leather!

Originally Posted by Stigmata

Thanks, I have those instructions. I just thought I'd ask for some "tips".
BTW, that's one nice piece of leather!

Great, just checking as occasionaly I forget to put them in and quite often they get tossed out too <g>


Nothing worse than packing a dozen boxes one night and finding a stray brush laying on my bench......hmm, wonder who got left out. Okay, time to un-pack a dozen boxes now <g>. Been one of those weeks!

Tony