All the discussion of stropping, along with some experiments I'm doing, has me wondering about a slightly different angle on the debate over how much pressure to use when stropping.

Basically here's my hypothesis: Razors finished on lower grit stones benefit more from increased pressure during stropping.

Right now I'm stopping after the 8K Norton, since I've had some issues with edges honed past that point. I can get my razors to pass the hanging hair test off the 8K. After three shaves and stropping with light pressure, my Henkels no longer passed the HHT.

Today I did 30 laps on the linen, starting with firm pressure and then easing up. I did 30 more on leather, using the same progression. The razor easily passed the HHT and shaved well. I've had similar results in other trials, so it seems clear to me that my razors benefit from using more pressure while stropping.

I'm just wondering if some of the pressure vs. no pressure debate is due to how a razor is finished. An edge finished on a 12K stone or .5 micron paste might be more delicate and respond to light pressure, while an 8K edge or one sharpened on a barber hone might benefit from more pressure.

Has anyone else had similar--or contradictory--experience?

Josh