Thread: stropping the blade

I really don't know if anyone else has noticed or really thought about this. before I strop I hold the strop tight and rub the palm of my hand on it until it warms up. it seems to do better than a cold strop. here at my home I try to keep my house at a blistering 60 degrees in the winter. so the leather is quite cool. lets the blade kind of just slides over the leather without any drag. just a thought

Temperature of the strop and blade influence the feel and potential results of your stropping. You are doing the right thing to warm up the leather, especially in that cold house of yours. You may also try running some hot water over that cold steel before starting. This will double your blade temperature providing a "buttery" feel to your laps. Well done.

Not to mention the oils in your hand will help condition the leather strop. +1 on warming the blade.

Originally Posted by rmagnus

Not to mention the oils in your hand will help condition the leather strop. +1 on warming the blade.

+ 1

Yeah I don't know about how it would help cold leather - I keep my house at 70 day and night, spring, fall, winter and summer - but I would imagine it would help allot.

I palmed my strop for the longest time... because everyone said to. Then one day I decided to try not doing so. I honestly think the biggest thing I gave up was those oils on my hand. But again, I don't keep my house all that cold.

Looks like I was/am doing the right thing by rubbing the strop first. Great information on here, that you all for helping those of us who are new to straight razor shaving. 4 shaves in total as of tonight, lots to learn but having fun while I'm at it.

Frank