Thread: Stropping Technique

I read on a thread here that one could start out stropping by practicing with a butter knife or razor that ended honing. Tonight I tried my hand at stropping for the very first time. I have an old Robert Klaas razor that desperately needs to be honed on an Illinois 827.

The going away stroke felt very natural. The second part of the stroke coming back towards me felt a little off. In fact it had a different sound. I think i am having trouble on that stroke keeping the blade completely flat against the strop.

Suggestions?

Am I correct in that the blade is always in contact with the strop, even when flipping it on the spine?

Yes, most shavers keep the blade in constant contact, even while flipping on the spine. I have seen videos of guys that are experts, such as Maestro Levi that will lift the blade off the strop, but again he is an expert.

QUOTE=eezee;1317515]I read on a thread here that one could start out stropping by practicing with a butter knife or razor that ended honing. Tonight I tried my hand at stropping for the very first time. I have an old Robert Klaas razor that desperately needs to be honed on an Illinois 827.

The going away stroke felt very natural. The second part of the stroke coming back towards me felt a little off. In fact it had a different sound. I think i am having trouble on that stroke keeuping the blade completely flat against the strop.

Suggestions?

Am I correct in that the blade is always in contact with the strop, even when û it on the spine?[/QUOTE]

Re bold: yes!!

I don't have the terminology down to say exactly where - but where you hold the blade will make a huge difference. I would make a note of that. Gssixgun on YouTube has a video on stropping that addresses it. Try and find it - its helpful.

Getting the exact stroke coming back is a bit challenging. That's why we say go light and slow or you'll roll the edge by applying different pressures. If you get it (or close enough) going light and slow, which is all you need really, then you can speed up.

Hope that helps!! But either way, work on it. Stropping can make or break a shave. Good luck!

For me, the back stroke has a different sound too. A trap to avoid is adding weird angles and motions on that back stroke to "correct" a problem that doesn't exist. Mind the spine, do your stroke, and let the different sound be a different sound.

I have difficulties keeping the razor down properly on the return stroke too, when held 90 degrees across the strop. But have no trouble at all with a heel-leading diagonal stroke. I learned on a narrower strop. I can concentrate on my finger positioning and all and make a good 90 stroke, but it's a ton easier, for me, to just X it. Learn it right. I used "stop, turn, go" chanting in my head for the first few thousand strokes.

To change directions it has to stop. If turned after that stop, never no nicks.

learn a lot about stropping here: http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...st-2012-a.html

Originally Posted by earcutter

QUOTE=eezee;1317515]I read on a thread here that one could start out stropping by practicing with a butter knife or razor that ended honing. Tonight I tried my hand at stropping for the very first time. I have an old Robert Klaas razor that desperately needs to be honed on an Illinois 827.

The going away stroke felt very natural. The second part of the stroke coming back towards me felt a little off. In fact it had a different sound. I think i am having trouble on that stroke keeuping the blade completely flat against the strop.

Suggestions?

Am I correct in that the blade is always in contact with the strop, even when û it on the spine?

Re bold: yes!!

I don't have the terminology down to say exactly where - but where you hold the blade will make a huge difference. I would make a note of that. Gssixgun on YouTube has a video on stropping that addresses it. Try and find it - its helpful.

Getting the exact stroke coming back is a bit challenging. That's why we say go light and slow or you'll roll the edge by applying different pressures. If you get it (or close enough) going light and slow, which is all you need really, then you can speed up.

Hope that helps!! But either way, work on it. Stropping can make or break a shave. Good luck![/QUOTE]
Just watched the video. Thank you.

Originally Posted by deepweeds

For me, the back stroke has a different sound too. A trap to avoid is adding weird angles and motions on that back stroke to "correct" a problem that doesn't exist. Mind the spine, do your stroke, and let the different sound be a different sound.

Different sound does not translate to a bad sound! Got it! Thanks!

Originally Posted by WadePatton

I have difficulties keeping the razor down properly on the return stroke too, when held 90 degrees across the strop. But have no trouble at all with a heel-leading diagonal stroke. I learned on a narrower strop. I can concentrate on my finger positioning and all and make a good 90 stroke, but it's a ton easier, for me, to just X it. Learn it right. I used "stop, turn, go" chanting in my head for the first few thousand strokes.

To change directions it has to stop. If turned after that stop, never no nicks.

learn a lot about stropping here: http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...st-2012-a.html

Will give this some thought. Thanks!