Thread: The correct way to count when stropping?

You shouldn't rely much on counting, at least not when learning. X number of strokes on the linen and then another X strokes on the leather is rather meaningless. More important is the condition of the stropped edge. You may achieve a keen edge after any number of strokes. But unless you are able to determine what a keen edge is, and how to determine if you've achieved that type of edge, you may strop forever and not get a good shaving edge. You need a more reliable gauge than counting.

Just because one person strops 20 times on linen and 30 times on leather means nothing. For all you know your razor is shave ready after only 10 strokes on the leather only. The key is - do you know how to tell?