Thread: My Favorite Stropping Strategy

My favorite stropping strategy; the strategy that I think produces the best edge is this one from RazorCentral:

20 passes on linen, 20 passes on leather firmly, followed by 4 passes with a light touch.

I think this is the easiest technique for the intermediate/general user. The edge gets deflected correctly without much thought or practice.

Here is a link (they break the info into two HTML pages)

stropping, first stroke

stropping, last stroke

This isn't what I use daily, but I may have to change. It really does produce what I believe is the best edge, shaving wise.

I would have to caution on a new user against using pressure, but if your having no luck you might want to try it. This technique works best after a few shaves based on typical honing.

I'm always looking for more information on stropping, thank you. Tomorrow morning I will try this out and see how I like it. It's funny how something like stropping can impact the shave so much, even though it seems like a small factor.

Could one apply this same concept only instead of using pressure use the draw from different leathers?

Yes, most likely.

I would think to achive the best results from your pressure method that a leather with little draw would be prefered. For example hosrehide or cordovan.

I was shocked reading this post, Alan, before I got to
"This isn't what I use daily" -- I couldn't imagine you going
up to that number of strokes, with linen no less!

I also favour medium-firm strokes on the leather with the
lightest touch at the end to finish up the edge.

- Scott