Cupping in 3" strops

I'm a new hobbyist so one of my biggest attention grabbers recently has been keeping a close eye on my very slow and awkward stropping. Trying to get better at technique and avoid doing damage.

While paying attention to that, I can swear that on the finish leather part of my 3" strop (Griffith's), I may not be making contact with the edge. Obviously I only notice this when the edge is facing me and I'm stropping away from me--it seems like there's a barely perceptible dip in the middle of the leather from the edges cupping ever so slightly.

Keep in mind that I'm currently still stropping completely horizontal on a flat surface to get my technique down before I try hanging the strop.

Anyone ever notice anything similar?

Try giving the strop a good firm rubbing between the palms of your hands, to help it lay flat just before using it. Over time, when done regularly, this practice will improve the strop, make it more supple. My 3 inch strops will cup, my 2.5" strops don't. Hope this helps.

Yes ...
3" strops might have been the dumbest idea that caught on in our hobby, they were pushed as "Easier" because newbs think they don't have to use a pattern.. You still have to use a pattern, and you have to deal with the cupping or dipping too

Wooohoooo :)

I do like my 3" Roo strop. It's thin and very soft. It contours my smiling blades very well, and have no problems with a straight edge either. But Roo is the exception IMHO

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

Yes ...
3" strops might have been the dumbest idea that caught on in our hobby, they were pushed as "Easier" because newbs think they don't have to use a pattern.. You still have to use a pattern, and you have to deal with the cupping or dipping too

Wooohoooo :)

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Similar to the 3 inch hone.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 32t

Similar to the 3 inch hone.

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Yep. The swarf always tells the tale. Most of all old blade's I hone, I'm lucky to use 1" of the bottom of the hone, nearest me. Especially smiling wedge's