Thread: Can you strop on a flat surface?

I wondered if I could lay my Strop on my bathroom vanity and strop the razor this way. It seems to work, but I've never read anybody doing it this way.

Yes you can.

Absolutely, you can also get paddle strops, gssixgun seems to have some nice ones that he makes.

I stop on a piece of cordovan laid flat on my table saw after honing.

Go for it.

Thank you very much. I just could not find a place in my bathroom to hang a hook. I noticed that there was plenty of space to lay it flat. I pondered the process and what adverse impact this might bring and could not come up with any other that the risk of nicking the blade if I was sloppy.

It worked very well.

I took apart a towel rack and slid the metal O ring on the bar before reassembly. Now I can hook any strop on the bar using the o ring. Just need a well anchored towel rack.

Augustagj, Bench stropping, as it is called, is a very acceptable stropping method. I have a heavy hand and found that using a bench strop has helped me attain a feather light touch that has given me longer lasting edges.

I did read that not keeping the Strop taut could result in a rounded edge. I certainly did not wish this to happen, and thought this was a good methodology to preclude it.

Thanks for the feedback.

Originally Posted by JTmke

I took apart a towel rack and slid the metal O ring on the bar before reassembly. Now I can hook any strop on the bar using the o ring. Just need a well anchored towel rack.

Or, if you are lazy like me, just use zip ties.

Para cord also works, but laying a strop flat is a pretty common recommendation especially for beginners as it takes at least one variable out of the equation, if you have a skim through there are heaps of ways strops have been hung - door handles, hinge pins, towel rails, various assorted solid fixing points. Sometimes you need to be a bit creative