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Still new and I'm sure I've dulled my blade a bit. I've watched various clips too. When I'm stropping I know that the spine and edge are both suppose to lay on the strop. When I do it that way it doesn't really make that whisping sound. If I put it a touch more down with the edge it does. So I'm not sure on which one of those ways I'm to do it. Thanks in advance
The first thing you need to do is discount the sound that your strop makes. It should always make the same sound, with the same razor, at the same speed, on the same strop, in the same room... You see where I'm going here.
Your spine and edge should be flat on the strop and you should be making an X pattern or a windshield wiper pattern or the race track pattern. But it should always be flat, spine leading. There is a couple of good videos in the wiki in really slow motion.
Razor stropping - Straight Razor Place Library
Adding to what Shaun said, do NOT put pressure down on the edge. Both surfaces have to stay flat on the strop -- spine and edge.
The most important technique to learn is to flip your razor between your index finger and thumb while keeping your wrist steady. I know that some people flick their wrists while keeping the razor itself stationary, but in my experience that technique is far more error prone.
Hello!
One of the tricks of stropping that took me ages to figure out was that even when the edge and spine are both lying flat on the strop, you can bias the weight toward the edge (slightly) with where you place your thumb on the shank.
Consider the "away" stroke on the strop - the edge is facing you, the spine is facing the end of the strop. In this position my thumb is sitting on the corner of the shank closest to me, not right on top of it. The weight distribution is therefore a bit more over the edge than the spine. Keep your thumb in that position as you then move the razor down the strop.
Now when you flip to come back the other way, try to keep your thumb at about that same spot - again, so that you bias the weight slightly toward the edge side and not the spine side. Move the razor back toward you down the spine in that position.
It's not a heavy weight. Really, it's just your thumb adding a slight bit of extra weight toward the edge side of the shank - don't deliberately push down.
See if that helps you - it might feel a bit uncomfortable to start with, but if you keep at it it will feel natural enough with time. It works for me in any event.
Good luck!
James.
it helps me to think of it as putting pressure on the spine (just enough to keep it on the strop) and let the edge drag lightly behind. also, the grind of the razor will make a difference in the sound it makes. a wedge or quarter hollow will be quieter or silent and a full hollow grind will make a louder wispy sound.
Wow, thanks for all the advise, it will all be useful. I know it's going to take some time but it also helps by getting some advise.
If you are going to watch videos, this one is a fine demonstration of proper stropping technique:Quote:
Originally Posted by Humpglide
http://youtu.be/vyV6J4X0-2g
Made me want to foxtrot while stropping!
Try using a SRD modular strop. It makes it much easier and efficient and you don't have to worry about rounding the edge because of slack in the the strop.
If I may add: Sound wise, only a few razors will sing on the strop (I think 3 of mine sing and that is it). And if all of your razors sing, it is likely and indication that the spine is coming off the strop, and the singing is the free vibration of the blade itself on the leather. Eeek!
So likely, you dont want to hear the blade sing, and that could be an indication of a bad thing!
Rather than exert more pressure, I have found making the strop just a tiny bit more slack helps. The current pressure of the blade presses into the strop material a little bit more and gives just a bit more polishing angle. I also find I tend on the "return stroke" (coming back toward me) I can lose contact with the edge or get just a bit less. The very slightly more slack strop helped on that too.
'Glide, I'm here to say that not everyone gets stropping quickly. I sucked at it, destroying 5 strops in the process. It will definitely come. You could probably speed up the learning curve by getting w/ a nearby experienced shaver - if there's one nearby. Should your travels bring you near Portland, OR - hollar & come over for some time & try some gear.Quote:
Originally Posted by Humpglide
Its also common to DULL your edge w/ your early stropping. If your edge needs refreshing, let me know. I or others would likely be glad to refresh the edge - just pick up postage to get it back to you.
'Sounds to me like you're doing alright & will have it down pretty soon. Enjoy the learning & the great shaves. In all likelihood - even the so-so shaves will be at least as good as your former method - but will last longer.
-That's a neat shot of the Hyacinth for your avatar. They're really sweet.
I do better if I strop left to right instead and I lay the strop flat on my dresser. My strop is leather and about 3 1/2 inches wide, this is so I can get the whole blade on it. But my question is how fast do you go? and how many times to refresh the edge? I can't go very fast right now because my hands aren't in good shape, during the winter the weather changes (warm during the day, cold at night) wreck havoc on the joints in my fingers and thumbs.