Thread: X pattern stropping?

Hi,
How is the X pattern stropping being done? Thanks.

Hey ferroburak,

The x-pattern is especially important for narrow strops, where the blade is longer than the width of your strop. Generally one would start with the 'away' stroke, with the heel touching the strop and the toe of the blade more or less hanging off the side. The X is very gradual, so that at the end of the initial stroke the toe of the blade is in contact and the heel isn't. Flip on the spine and repeat the process for the 'towards' stroke.

My strop is 3'' wide and this isn't really a problem for me. It is still recommended to do an x-pattern, and although I haven't praticed it I believe that I do it subconciously.

It's not the pattern that really is the primary issue. It's simply that, with each stroke, the entire blade should touch the strop.

Hello, ferroburak:

Also, the X-Pattern needs good concentration. Keep an eye on the blade at all time, and put no pressure on the strop. Rather, the weight of the razor is all the pressure you need.

Several excellent stropping videos are available at SRP, especially one by Mentor hi_bud_gl.

Regards,
Obie

Originally Posted by Obie

Hello, ferroburak:

Also, the X-Pattern needs good concentration. Keep an eye on the blade at all time, and put no pressure on the strop. Rather, the weight of the razor is all the pressure you need.

Several excellent stropping videos are available at SRP, especially one by Mentor hi_bud-lo.

Regards,
Obie

I couldn't find member hi_bud-lo. Can you provide me a link? Thanks.

This is the one Obie is referring to: http://straightrazorpalace.com/video...stropping.html. IMO It's a good starting point before you develop your own personal technique.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

This is the one Obie is referring to: http://straightrazorpalace.com/video...stropping.html. IMO It's a good starting point before you develop your own personal technique.

Hello, Feffoburak:

Yes, yes, that's the video. Sorry, I should have provided the link. It's an excellent demonstration.

Thank you, Ryan82, for providing the link.

Regards,
Obie

Like Ryan82, I use a 3" stop and dokn't use an X pattern. I find myself using the X automatically when I use my travel strop, the practice strop that I got from Tony, with my red Latigo.

Originally Posted by leadduck

Like Ryan82, I use a 3" stop and dokn't use an X pattern. I find myself using the X automatically when I use my travel strop, the practice strop that I got from Tony, with my red Latigo.

Yes, me too. I bought a 3" red latigo strop (linen on the back) from Vintage Blades. Because I was a newbie, I wanted to avoid the X pattern. Yes, I have nicked it, but didn't ruin it. Very nice strop. Someone may not want to buy it from me because I learned with it, but I buy things to use and not to sell.

As far as I'm concerned, a 3" strop is worth the money for a beginner because of the ease of stropping. I don't know why they aren't all made to eliminate the requirement of the X pattern.

For some reason I have an easier time using the X even on my 3". I am guessing because I started out with a 2.5" strop.