Thread: How do you reduce draw

I have the SRD premium III in buffalo and I really like it. Lately the draw has increased very much and is closing razors as I strop that have tight pins. Is there any way to reduce the amount of draw a strop has?

Dllandry,

I have found with some of my strops rubbing then firmly and briskly (so they get warm) with a micro-fbre cloth reduces the draw a bit.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Originally Posted by Dllandry

I have the SRD premium III in buffalo and I really like it. Lately the draw has increased very much and is closing razors as I strop that have tight pins. Is there any way to reduce the amount of draw a strop has?

Wow! I have that same strop and yes, the draw has become almost like a vacuum suction. Good stropping, but the draw is amazing!

The best way to reduce the draw on the Prem III is to reduce the amount of pressure on the strop. With very little pressure, it should do what you are looking for.

Have fun,

Lynn

If the strop is closing the razor, I'd say you're in a ticklish situation. I have a number of razors with pins just this side of loose, and I've learned to strop with my grip on the shank. This provides more security, IME.

Originally Posted by Lynn

The best way to reduce the draw on the Prem III is to reduce the amount of pressure on the strop. With very little pressure, it should do what you are looking for.

Have fun,

Lynn

+1

Once a week, rub two drops (no more) of Neatsfoot oil on
your hand and then rub the strop with that hand may also help.

But Lynn's advice is better because the less down
pressure the more the fine edge is "pulled" straight
by the strop. The other trick is to rely less on the
scales. Be purposeful with your grip on the razor
letting the scales rest lightly on the little finger and
focus on enjoying the draw. Think hot summer night
and slow sipping a good whiskey in the deep south.
Too hot to do anything fast... but some things take
longer than others... perhaps well into the night.

Another solution is to send it to me and I will send
you one maybe two of my strops. in exchange.

Using less pressure is the simplest way. The reason why the strop has gained in draw is partly because the surface has become smoother, and partly because stropping has drawn the oils/waxes to the surface.

Add ing more oil will increase draw, not decrease it. If you slightly dampen a tea towel and really rub the strop you will take off some of the extraneous wax/oil and decrease the draw. Once a week for buffalo works for me.

Another way is to add some 'glide' to the strop - a powder like pure graphite dust (not the greasy compound - the dry stuff used by locksmiths) will do that. Graphite is a lubricant, but not in the same way as oil - oil will add drag, graphite will decrease it.

BTW fingers on the shank is the way to go - helps flipping and reduces fatigue on the scales.

Regards,
Neil

The Water Buffalo actually seems to be one of the grainier of the leathers out there and starts off with more draw than any other strop I have seen. You can actually rub a dry towel on any of the strops to remove the any surface material from the strop. I am always hesitant to use any additional water, oils or other substances on the strops. Water in some cases is actually recommended by a few people to increase draw. This would be a good area for some additional experimentation.

Have fun,

Lynn