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

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04-10-2010, 05:49 PM
Ryan82

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

Gentlemen,

Perhaps SAD is in the air, perhaps people just got their tax returns and have money to spend, I don't know.

I've been reading a lot lately about guys buying multiple strops, which in itself is not weird (this is SRP after all), but there seems to be a movement towards stropping progressions. Much like honing progressions. So we use rough strops, latigo strops, and now finishing strops....

For example, first it's 50 laps on linen followed by 100 laps latigo, then 50 laps SRD cotton followed by 100 laps horsehide, then on to 50 laps SRD webbed nylon before finishing with 100 laps on the finishing strop - the SRD Premium I. And then, eventually, on to the shave....

Okay, so the above was tongue-in-cheek, but it gets my point across. I've always said do whatworks for you, so I am by no means judging anyone's practices. But I also thought that the term "finishing strop" is a bit redundant as any strop is the finisher.

So how many members are doing this not for experimentation but as an EVERY day practice? Is there any measurable improvement by using this progression?

Thanks in advance,

Ryan
04-10-2010, 05:58 PM
gssixgun

I have multiple strops, but I use only one at a time before the shave...

The only one I would even sorta use as a specialty strop is my #827 Illinois I use that 50/100 coming off the hones on all razors...
More out of habit then anything else...and it keeps things in perspective for the test shaves...

But 25/50 on whichever strop I choose for the daily shave seems fine IMHO
04-10-2010, 06:02 PM
mainaman

I think is more of a SAD, than anything else.
I use English bridle only, I chose it because I like the draw. For me so far multiple strops is redundant.
04-10-2010, 06:23 PM
cutalot

when i started with the straight razor i got a horsehide strop off flea bay 50 years old if its a day and slick as snot - 0 draw.latter when it seemed that i was going to stay with this i got a tony millir latigo linen..whoa so this is what they are talking abought when they say draw, way slower to strop on than the horsehide. so now its 15 linen 30 latigo and if iam feeling up to it 25 quick ones on the horse. although my edges have improved it more likely that the tony miller alone is the cause.i used to do 60 on the horsehide and it kept me happy for the frist year
04-10-2010, 06:41 PM
BeBerlin

Let me see... SRD PI and hart felt, Illinois 827, Old Traditional, Jimboroo, SRD PIV and Paddle on the way... SAD? Not really. It's fun to see how different strops work, that's all. I currently use the PI almost exclusively, simply a great strop. The Old Traditional still has the best leather, but that is just the interim result before the arrival of the PIV.

That said, I believe that finishing strops are mainly useful for people who believe in the effectiveness of Chronik razors and in the guy who unearthed them.

Regards,
Robin
04-10-2010, 06:46 PM
ShavedZombie

Robin, I'd argue that a finishing strop DOES actually have a beneficial effect, just that it's negligible... Like crushing a bug with your foot, versus crushing it with a steam roller... One's more crushing, but they both get the job done equally as well...

At least, I've felt a difference in edge going from plain Bridle to Bridle followed by Premium I... But the difference in the blade doesn't effect the shave nearly as much as it effects the blade...

Just my results, YMMV...

Also, I am a strop fiend, so I may just be going crazy and imagining the results to validate buying MORE strops!

Cheers,
Jeremy
04-10-2010, 07:04 PM
BeBerlin

Yes, the human mind is a powerful tool, especially when it comes to the real of razor wizardry. Personally, I consider the concept of finishing strops complete and utter bollocks, but I may well be wrong.
04-10-2010, 07:58 PM
RayG

I tried it between the few strops I have, mainly a Premium I, TM horse and latigo, and a recently acquired Premium IV. FWIW, I personally have not noticed any difference, and have pretty much gone back to using just my Premium I 95% of the time.
04-10-2010, 08:33 PM
JimmyHAD

I've got quite a few strops from SRD, Tony Miller, HandAmerican, and quite a few vintage strops. I don't do a strop progression. I'll take my strop of choice and do linen or webbed fabric and then the leather component. I do 50 and 50. Whether this is too much of a good thing I don't know but it seems to work well for me. I enjoy taking an old Koken shell or C-Mon deluxe out every now and then but my usual stop is the SRD Premium 1 or the TM horse/latigo/linen. Depends on the day.

What I have changed in my stropping is how attentive I am to it. AF Davis11's posts on stropping have me feeling what I'm doing a lot more. I used to zone out while I counted laps. I still count them but I'm paying attention to the tactile feel of the razor and strop as I go. In the past I was sort of oblivious to it. This new focus seems to be improving my results.
04-10-2010, 09:06 PM
Scipio

I have several strops, a Prima Rindleder, a Grelot, a TI, and have recently acquired a Neil Miller Bridle and Tallow tan.

I use different strops on different days, depending on my mood and if I happen to be travelling, which I do alot.

I don't prescribe to this new belief that there are such things as 'finishing strops' as all strops are for finishing, unless you are going to argue about pasted strops and TI bio pastes that remove metal, but were not talking about pastes so well leave that subject.

I use tWo sides of the strop, whether that be a strop with 2 grades of leather, or one grade of leather and a canvas; however I stick to the strop I am using. What I will not do is use canvas, then go to 2 different leathers. So if Im using my Neil Miller, Ill strop on bridle, then tallow tan. I dont think the canvas in necessarily necessary, despite what many believe, but I will use it if the strop has it.
04-10-2010, 10:19 PM
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.
04-11-2010, 03:28 AM
ShavedZombie

Quote:

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! :beer1:

Cheers,
Jeremy
04-11-2010, 06:30 AM
richmondesi

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 :roflmao
04-11-2010, 07:06 AM
PhatMan

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
04-11-2010, 05:23 PM
Ryan82

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.....
04-11-2010, 05:30 PM
Ryan82

Quote:

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....
04-11-2010, 06:10 PM
JMS

Quote:

Originally Posted by mainaman

For me so far multiple strops is redundant.

Just saying this seems doubly redundant. :D
04-11-2010, 06:13 PM
JMS

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMS

Just saying this seems doubly redundant. :D

Redundantly redundant even.
04-11-2010, 06:15 PM
JMS

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMS

Redundantly redundant even.

Am I being redundant?:shrug:
04-12-2010, 12:28 AM
ShavedZombie

Quote:

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? :shrug:

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