Thread: Stroping technique beyond X strokes

Originally Posted by jkatzman

I use a Mastro Livi loom strop and he did a video on his technique. I used to angle the blade but he believes in a 90 degree X stroke where the blade tip actually runs off the strop. I also rolled the blade in my fingers after each lap and he believes in turning the blade using the wrist. I find the Livi way has enabled me to use less laps to polish the blade on his skin side. It also cuts down on any chance of rolling the blade.

Intresting, whatever works, works. I always flip the razor between my fingers, I would say using the wrist would equal less control and you would be more likely to roll the edge.
All said and done if it works for you then thats all that matters.

Doesn't matter how you get it done IMO. As long as the strokes are even pressure and your not riding up on the edge it will probably work fine. people are not always comfortable with a set type of hand mechanics. Kind of like writing with a pen so many variations on grip. I'm sure its the same with stropping. Some just feel better doing it their own way. As long as it isn't harmful to the razor its probably fine.

Originally Posted by Razorfaust

Doesn't matter how you get it done IMO. As long as the strokes are even pressure and your not riding up on the edge it will probably work fine. people are not always comfortable with a set type of hand mechanics. Kind of like writing with a pen so many variations on grip. I'm sure its the same with stropping. Some just feel better doing it their own way. As long as it isn't harmful to the razor its probably fine.

This. I start with the heel forward, the sweep like a wiper blade and end with the toe forward. Flip razor on spine, repeat. Sort of a modified X stroke, works on every blade in my possession. There's more than one way to skin a cat, that's just how I like to get it done. How another fella skins his is up to him and none of my business.

Originally Posted by Marshal

This. I start with the heel forward, the sweep like a wiper blade and end with the toe forward. Flip razor on spine, repeat. Sort of a modified X stroke, works on every blade in my possession. There's more than one way to skin a cat, that's just how I like to get it done. How another fella skins his is up to him and none of my business.

Sounds good to me. If your happy why shouldn't anyone else be. I do a mixed bag of strokes myself sometimes just straight back and forth, sometimes x-strokes, toe forward, heel forward, widshield wiper what have you. I dont do them for any specific reason just like to play around and see what happens. So far I haven't found any of these techniques to produce anything other than a shaving edge. So have fun.

I always start stropping at 90 degrees, and do the flip with my fingers. I can't do it turning my whole wrist. The 90 degrees doesn't last long though and my stroke tends to end up as a windscreen wiper motion, though not that exaggerated. My only problem is losing count of laps. I try to count carefully, but I find myself concentrating on my angle and pressure so much that I lose count. I may want to do 100 laps, but generally do somewhere in that area, maybe more, maybe less, 100-ish.

Uh oh! I just stepped through this door and became nervous, 90 degree angle to the strop. Ok. I don't understand. I lay my blade flat on the strop and move down the linen or leather. I think I might be misunderstanding your remark, so-o-o-o! If you don't mind would you please be more specific, or detailed in your comments here as it is confusing to me. I have been doing this for nigh on 40 plus years (don't mean I know what I am doing though, just that I have been making mistakes for 40 plus years). Any clarification you provide may help me strop better and get better results.

He means that the axis of the razor along its length is placed to a 90 degree angle to the longwise direction of the strop. E.g., strop runs along Y axis, and razor comes out 90 degrees against the X axis. You are still keeping the razor flat, so no Z axis angles come into affect which is possibly what you were thinking here.

It's OK, you're doing it correctly. He's just emphasizing that his windshield stroke makes the razor to strop angle more / less than the 90 degree starting angle....which is fine.

I love it when a plan works. I think me and Glock27 might just return to stropping...lol

Originally Posted by bobski

I love it when a plan works. I think me and Glock27 might just return to stropping...lol

K.I.S.S. right?