Thread: Progression Stropping

Originally Posted by RayClem

My first strop was
.....
When honing, we often use a progression of stones from 1K...12K or even higher. Thus, I believe it makes sense to go from a heavier draw strop to progressively smoother/faster strops.
.....

My experience does not support this unless the strop is pasted to be a sharpening strop.

However...

What I do...
If I apply anything to a leather or fabric strop it is submicron diamond (0.5u) or CBN (0.25u) or CeOx (the good stuff).
A light dusting of CeOx will make a heavy draw lighter but rubbing the strop with clean heavy brown paper also lightens
the draw. Talcum can also lighten the draw.
A heavy draw is often the result of wax in the surface treatment/ strop dressing. If your razor picks up any 'stuff' there is
too much stuff on the strop.

Such things are so very subjective...
the only measure is the shave test so shave away...

I know my Latigo strop has too much wax or conditioner on it. Ive tried to wash it carefully. Used lather and warm water on a cloth a couple times and its still on it. Need to get it stripped off somehow.

After all these comments i might try to do the multi stropping after honing only. We will see if it helps or not.

Originally Posted by Gasman

I agree 100%. Now if I can just find that one strop that is just perfect. Guess I'll have to buy another 5 or 6 for testing. LOL My Latigo just doesn't make me happy at all. Thinking I'll have to pay the fee so I can sell a few things in the future. Starting with the SRD Latigo.

You favorite will 9 times out of ten be your first strop.
All the others will just verify that the first one is the best.

I have even made my own and reached for the same old strop.

Yes I need to use my shell strops more. The shave is very nice

Any new strop will slow you down and allow you to focus on perfect stropping
and that bit of perfection alone will make the "first" strop better.

yep ten strops hanging here and I reach for the one I thought was just ordinary.

The SRD strop is a nice bit of kit.

have fun...
it is your razor and your face...

Always another way, I will show my progression after honing.

It's fun, anyway!

The cheapest lead-laden strop. Kindof wavy.
I actually think that helps!



Lipshaw microtome strops. I use 2. Yet I have 3? Oh! Right!



Anyhow, this panel is too heavy of a draw for the little Red Dog.

Would take a truck to pull it across.

Many a wedge has crossed it, however.



I will go 200 on this red bridle. Best thing ever.



This tallow-tanned is awesome to finish with. Great panel.


No difference in this and a series of hanging/paddle strops.
Just the lighter and lighter feel, IMO.
This always takes me to a nice shave right away. Just me.

Gasman get a clean cloth and apply some lighter fluid then wipe that strop down. That usually makes a clean strop, then just use a damp cloth once a week to maintain clean, no wax build up after lighter fluid. Tc

No lighter fluid in my house. Can you recommend another product Tc? Acetone Maybe?

Goof off ,, napthea. Tc

I've got Goof off! Thanks. I'll give it a go to cut thru the waxy film still on the Latigo.

Very little on the rag, lightly do one lap then look at your strop, or if you really want to see try doing a little piece not in your stropping area, then see what it looks like. A test as it were. But I never just rub it in, just a light lap, you will see if you got the whole surface by the leather color change, same as when I wipe with a damp rag to clean Rub it with your palm when dry and strop away. Tc

It still a little waxy but much better. I think I can now deal with it and ware the rest off. Did a test spot first. Then after I found it really didn't even change the color much I went for a thin coating and wiped it off with a lot of rubbing. Then a few laps with a damp cloth. Still had some residue from the Goof-off so I went with a damp cloth with lather. Worked it in then a damp cloth with clean water. Lots of rubbing with a dry cloth then hand rubbing and wiping to get all the damn lint off.

I think I'm in much better shape now. Guessing I'll know by tomorrow if it falls apart. Ha. Kidding, It feels much better now and should be just fine now. Thanks for the help TC.