Thread: Draw

Originally Posted by rolodave

Wow
My Neil Miller bridle is the heaviest draw I own.
Neil Miller Shell
Kanayama 3,50,90

Ha! Compared to the glass like draw of the Kanayama the bridal would seam heavy.
In all fairness although Chromexal is at the top of the list the difference between Latigo, bridal, oil tanned and Chomexal is marginal.

My fav is Buffalo. Has just the perfect draw for me.
When stropping on 3" i do more of a windshield wiper movement. X on smaller width. Its all personnal preference. As long as you edge is gaining on the leather and not getting worse.

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

I use an X pattern as if the razor has a smile you wouldn't strop all the edge of the blade.

I use more like a windshield wiper stroke rather than straight up and down or X stroke. Seems to work for me.

Bob

It’s more of a windshield wiper pattern, as Bob said. The tip starts off the strop, heel on the strop and ends with the tip of the razor just below the top of the strop at the other end. The razor only drops about a half inch.

Most folks only strop on about 6-8 inches of the strop. Watch some videos. Slow down and use more of the strop in an even stroke.

This delivers even pressure across the whole edge. If you do straight strokes you will automatically put more pressure on the middle of the razor.

Originally Posted by bluesman7

Don't rule out narrower strops either. I prefer 2.5"- 2.25" to 3".

Originally Posted by STF

That's interesting, I would have to practice x stroke stropping.

Before I grab a razor and start practicing my x strokes can you explain why you prefer narrow strops.

I must admit, it would save me some money, or let me get a better strop.

Imagine a razor with a 2.75" edge. If during the stroke the heel comes off of the right side of the strop 1/4" inch. The remaining 2.5" of razor on a three inch strop will cause an asymmetric load on the strop causing it to want to twist. That same 1/4" off of the side of a 2.5" strop will still leave the razor contacting the full width of the strop resulting in zero twisting moment.

Originally Posted by RezDog

Horse is my favourite. Medium light draw. Ezra Aurthur has a nice as does all the small producers. Cordovan is too fast, glassy for me and the others are too heavy of a draw to be my fav.

I agree with your findings, I personally find horsehide my favourite, Cordovan is to fast and far to glassy for me, the Arthur Ezra Horsehide is a lovely smooth medium-fast draw.

Originally Posted by celticcrusader

I agree with your findings, I personally find horsehide my favourite, Cordovan is to fast and far to glassy for me, the Arthur Ezra Horsehide is a lovely smooth medium-fast draw.

That surprises me, Jamie as you used to use a Kanayama for a good while.

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

That surprises me, Jamie as you used to use a Kanayama for a good while.

Mark,

I don't find the Kanayama that fast and after a few months it seems to get better slower with more draw, I think the Kanayama as a different finish compared to the American Shell Cordovan.

Originally Posted by BobH

I use more like a windshield wiper stroke rather than straight up and down or X stroke. Seems to work for me.

Bob

I use a windshild wiper stroke on certain smilers.

Especially my Saito SK1

Originally Posted by celticcrusader

Mark,

I don't find the Kanayama that fast and after a few months it seems to get better slower with more draw, I think the Kanayama as a different finish compared to the American Shell Cordovan.

My Kanayama is still as glassy as the day I got it, but my vintage Shell strop has more draw.
Yeah Naomi San uses a different tanning method to Horween. There is a photo of the process Naomi San uses but I cant find it.