Thread: draw

so I'm having a bit of a problem with my usual strop. its like it has absolutely no draw. my razors are becoming nigh unshaveable after about 3 shaves so about 9 passes with fifty strops.between shaves. pulled out a different strop and its back to shave ready in 20 strops.

its 3 inch horse hide, any thoughts

Neatsfoot oil will increase draw. Apply a small amount, rub it in with you fingertips and let it set up awhile. Apply more if you need it but don't get in a hurry. A little goes a long way.

Have always wondered what Draw meant, if it means anything,More/less? what do's draw do?
been around this site awhile,have seen an answere.

I was under the impression that 'draw' itself had no impact on the effectiveness of the blade and was merely an aesthetic sensation...

For example, konayamas - which feel almost glass-smooth - have an extremely light (e.g. little) draw. Bridle leather strops, by comparison, have a medium draw (e.g. offer a greater sensation of resistance). Yet each is just as effective at prepping the blade edge for shaving.

That said, perhaps the problem isn't the leather itself. How old or heavily used is the strop? Is it possible the surface has become a bit dirty or waxy from use? Might be worth rubbing it down really good with your palms or a tiny bit of leather cleaner before hitting it with neatsfoot oil.

I will not touch my strop with anything other than my palm or a damp tea towel, followed by a dry one. I do not recommend extreme measures unless the strop is old and you are trying to convince yourself you can save it!
I washed an old one with lather, pumice. Ruined! I soaked one with neetsfoot, ruined. I have used leather cleaner and it never felt the same. Yes, heavier draw does do something different as does lighter draw. I am of the persuasion that different razors like different leathers. JMO!

(this is a ploy to lure Neil Miller out! )

I'm not pro but I thought that draw had nothing to do with the strops ability to smooth an edge. I was under the understanding that draw was just preference. Now I'm really confused.

I really need to learn to type faster

Originally Posted by sharptonn

I will not touch my strop with anything other than my palm or a damp tea towel, followed by a dry one. I do not recommend extreme measures unless the strop is old and you are trying to convince yourself you can save it!
I washed an old one with lather, pumice. Ruined! I soaked one with neetsfoot, ruined. I have used leather cleaner and it never felt the same. Yes, heavier draw does do something different as does lighter draw. I am of the persuasion that different razors like different leathers. JMO!

(this is a ploy to lure Neil Miller out! )

You said it SharptonnWhat do's draw do to an edge??

For me, it means giving your razor the heaviest feel while not dragging along. If I lay a heavy wedge on European tallow tanned or slick brown shell, it moves as on ice. Treacherous stropping. Not comfortable. Heavy oiled or lightly oiled bridle, nice. A Filarmonica 14 dragged thru the heavy bridle is a heavy chore and a sketchy one as well. The shell or ETT is perfect. I finish all mine with milled cowhide. Too soft for anything else. I am so glad Neil is feeling better!

Draw equals resistance AFAIK. I put enough pressure on the spine when I strop to insure that the spine doesn't lift as I strop. I flip the razor holding the tang with the tip of my forefinger and the tip of my thumb pad on top and bottom, not the sides, of the tang. When I flip that edge is just skimming along, little or no pressure on the edge. Dunno if that is "right" but that is what I do.

Now I found a latigo to be too heavy a draw for my comfort zone. Almost felt like it was going to snatch the razor out of my hand in mid stroke. Horsehide or Shell OTOH is just slick enough to allow me to comfortably strop without feeling like I am walking on eggs, like with latigo, and to 'dress' the razors edge. YMMV.

Guns..

If I may hazard a guess, I wonder if the strop has simply developed a bit of glaze, lost a little draw, and you have been bearing down a bit in an unconcious effort to make it "feel like it's doing something". That can be very hard on an edge.

Like sharptonn, I would never put anything on a strop but oil of me. (OK, the exception is cordovan shell which gets a coat of carnauba wax once each year or so.) You could try the damp towel wipe as suggested followed by a brisk rub down with a towel or microfiber cloth, just don't wet the leather excessively.

Although I prefer a very light draw, I agree that the effect draw has on an edge is probably only in the way that it might affect our stropping action. Some feel that a slick strop produces a crisp edge but I can't tell the difference in the edge off Neil Miller or Kanayama shell or Latigo. (Notice how I got Neil's name in too!)



rs,
Tack

jimmy got there first I see and I agree about the latigo draw.. it's just unpleasant to me.