Thread: Multiple Strops, Finishing Strops - Is this is new practice?

I too have lots of strops but I only ever use one at any one time. Personally I do not discount the idea of strop progressions as something people like to do, but for me it's not something I worry about. Strops, unlike hones, are non-abrasive in their natural state, so if there is anything to the idea of strop progressions, it would have to be marginal at best.

James.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

I too have lots of strops but I only ever use one at any one time. Personally I do not discount the idea of strop progressions as something people like to do, but for me it's not something I worry about. Strops, unlike hones, are non-abrasive in their natural state, so if there is anything to the idea of strop progressions, it would have to be marginal at best.

James.

+1 To this....

I firmly believe that a strop progression DOES make a difference, but I also believe that the difference is nearly nonexistant. You can feel it if you look for it, but your face won't really notice.

Also, I only do a fullout strop progression after honing, or on "Sunday shaves" (not literally on Sundays, but those shaves when I have nothing to do before or after, and just want to take my time and really enjoy it)

I will, if I'm using a hanging strop, just use the fabric and the leather and, if it's my modular paddle, I will strop Felt, scrub leather, and bridle, then premium I, then take it to the shave with me with Felt and Premium I (for inbetween touchups and post shave stropping on feltand Premium I)

So, in general, while it may make a difference (and I thoroughly believe it does) it doesn't make enough to do it every time, and it's mostly for people who just enjoy stropping, which I do!

Cheers,
Jeremy

I like to stack my finishing stones on top of each other to maximize the finishness provided, then I use 3 types of pastes to maximize the maximization before using multiple cloth components and various leathers to maximize the maximization of the maximization of the finish of the finishing of the finishing. It's awesome.

Either that or I only use one at a time because I think it's kinda silly to use stropping progressions

Ryan,

For my daily strop I use a double sided paddle of latigo/tallow tan leathers.

I do 25 laps on a linen hanging strop then 50 laps on the latigo paddle, followed by 25 on the tallow tan paddle.

Can't really say there is any profound benefit to doing it this way - it's just habit. On the other hand it works fine

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Interesting responses guys.

I was curious about who's doing what as things seem to change so quickly here at SRP.

Personally I only have 1 proper strop -3" Tony Miller red latigo with real linen - and a homemade balsa paddle which I coated with chrome ox. It works for me. I also feel that working with one strop forces one to experiment and find out how to achieve the maximum effect for each individual razor from the same strop.

But that being said I can't discount the possibilty of buying a second strop someday.....

Originally Posted by ShavedZombie

I firmly believe that a strop progression DOES make a difference, but I also believe that the difference is nearly nonexistant. You can feel it if you look for it, but your face won't really notice.

So, in general, while it may make a difference (and I thoroughly believe it does) it doesn't make enough to do it every time, and it's mostly for people who just enjoy stropping, which I do!

Zombie, if there is hardly a difference, or a negligible one at best (as you've asserted above) then why bother? I know you're a fanatic stropper, but really you're just making more work for yourself.

And again, the disclaimer, I'm not knocking anyone here. Do whatever works for you....

Originally Posted by mainaman

For me so far multiple strops is redundant.

Just saying this seems doubly redundant.

Originally Posted by JMS

Just saying this seems doubly redundant.

Redundantly redundant even.

Originally Posted by JMS

Redundantly redundant even.

Am I being redundant?

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Zombie, if there is hardly a difference, or a negligible one at best (as you've asserted above) then why bother? I know you're a fanatic stropper, but really you're just making more work for yourself.

And again, the disclaimer, I'm not knocking anyone here. Do whatever works for you....

Mostly: I like to strop... I'm searching for an accurate analogy, but... why drive manual when you could get an automatic? It takes more effort. Well, some people enjoy the whole gear-shifting thing. I'd use hones as an analogy, but that actually does have a different outcome. You can shave off of 8k, but it is a better shave at 12k...

It's really just for shits and giggles.. Also, the difference is palpable on the thumb, if negligible on the face... It's fun to experiment with this, even if it doesn't change much... Like changing up scopes on a rifle... If you never miss with the one scope, why get a better/more powerful scope? For playing around, so to speak...

Does that make sense?

Maybe I'm just crazy... Back to writing all my papers