Thread: Hard strop or traditional

Hi
I thought you might like to see my strops.
According to Mastro Livi and my logic strops should be hard.
So I made these. The white one just today.

Neat - a hard strop is a completely new tool for me - will investigate!

amazing man

Originally Posted by dkwflight

According to Mastro Livi and my logic strops should be hard.

Would you please explain your basis for connecting Maestro Livi with hard strops?

Originally Posted by Utopian

Would you please explain your basis for connecting Maestro Livi with hard strops?

I've never heard this either. I know he uses loom strops, but those have variable/adjustable give to them.

Hi
In the Mastros vid about his strop he say make the strop drum tight.
His strops have a rod of steel through the center, and a thread in the handle to be used to tighten the strop.
To my thinking abut the angles of the edge a loose or soft strop will tend to round the edge.
When I use my old style strop I lay it flat on my desk edge and the leather is supported on the wood.
Not quit the same as the board strop but very close.
I don't realy Know but it seems to make sense to me.

I think a small bit of rounding isn't a bad thing as it seems to make the blade feel mellower/smoother.

On an older blade (wedges in particular) that have had to use multiple layers of tape to hone to a strong bevel, a bit of slack is a good thing as it lets you refresh on a pasted strop and regular strop without having to re-apply tape.

On a new meticulously cared for razor this probably wouldn't be an issue

Hi

I deliberately dull the heel and toe about 1/8"
I feel it prevents unintended cuts

Originally Posted by dkwflight

Hi
In the Mastros vid about his strop he say make the strop drum tight.
His strops have a rod of steel through the center, and a thread in the handle to be used to tighten the strop.
To my thinking abut the angles of the edge a loose or soft strop will tend to round the edge.
When I use my old style strop I lay it flat on my desk edge and the leather is supported on the wood.
Not quit the same as the board strop but very close.
I don't realy Know but it seems to make sense to me.

I'm fine with leaving you with your logic as long as you do not extend it to the belief that there is something deficient or detrimental about the use of a hanging strop.

Hi
It only matters to me in results.
If a hanging strop works for you Grat.
Those strops are an old tradition.

I just bought a Wade & Butcher wedge. When I get it I will be looking for advise on honing and sharpening it.
THanks for your interest.