Thread: stropping method

Originally Posted by LarryAndro

Strop technique conversations are primarily read by newbies. For them, I think the "hold tight and strop light" advice is good advice. For undoubtedly, if the strop is bowed and you strop with pressure, I think most will agree it quite possible to dull the blade. So, why not give general advice that is most likely to keep newbies out of trouble?

As an aside, the closer the blade is to a wedge, the more slack I allow in my strop.

+1 on the above.
i.e. the "hold tight and strop light" advice is good advice.

Not too long ago a translation of "Honing Razors and Nihonkamisori"
was posted. In it the original author made a point on stropping.
The point was that a strop could bend on the spine but
not on the edge (see Fig 1 and Fig 2 where he exaggerates this).
I would bet that this old barber let the razor edge touch the strop lightly
flowing behind the spine. It is almost possible to see this in
action on the video. When I get a great edge
from the strop that is what goes on for me.

By keeping the strop tight and the razor light on the
strop it is easy to minimize the pressure on the edge
and maximize the feeling of dragging or pulling the edge
across the strop in contrast to pressing the edge into
the leather.

As the razor is held between the thumb and forefinger the
thumb need only push the spine down the strop and
the edge will drag lightly on the surface as it should.

The translation is a good read...

Yea, I see the video, and know it well. So, as you can imagine stropping is a pretty simple concept and I think it has some variables that all lead to success. I think this method of stropping on the video, is probably the hardest to master. But, even at my experience level I'm not sure I would like to have to replicate this all the time. But, as long as it's light it should work.

I think we advocate light and taut, but I find that there are lots of other options that work really well. Taut and with pressure is my favorite. That being the pressure that is added that "produces the feeling of draw".

One of the interesting things about a lot of stropping strategies, is that many of them dull the blade a little. But, they also smooth out the sensation of the razor against the skin.

Ultimately, I think that a little deflection against the edge is the key, either with a little pressure or a little deflection.

I also think that the general trouble people have with stropping is failing to use EQUAL pressure on both sides.

Great thread though. I wish we could explore different stropping strategies without everybody going nuts about it. Once you learn to hone you can do practically anything and experiment at will with your stropping. But, I find that only a freshly honed razor stropped taut and light, creates the sharpest edge. From there its all a matter of taste driven to increase smoothness. But if you consider all the posts beginners have with things like "skipping" or "pulling" I kinda wish we could talk more about methods of more effective (and dullling and smoothing) actions. I typically don't even shave from the beginning with a razor that is all that sharp. But, when a razor is really smooth it can take on a whole new shaving pleasure.

The flex style of use for a hanging strop can be difficult for some to master.
Especially so when when trying to emulate the old barbers on TV and video.
Because it is so hard many find a paddle strop or loom strop ideal.

The modular paddle strop from SRD also gives choices for media.
In fact both the hanging strops and paddle strop products from SRD have
replacement material and are assembled in ways that make exchange and
replacement easy.

I am a big fan of making a strop or two. Not because the results
are stellar but because making a good one is hard and the process
enhances the value of a well made commercial strop. My next project
is a loom strop. I always learn something about strops and
how I use them...

I've seen that video many times before, and remember seeing Barber's strop like that. In the 1960's and 70's, when I grew up, when you got a haircut, the Barber did your neck (cleaned it up) with a straight razor. It always scared the hell out of me. I remember him stropping it up, and me waiting for the long shiny blade to hit the back of my neck. When I started this hobby, I kept my strop taught, Now, that I have more experience under by belt (or strop) I keep mine a bit looser. I find it makes for better contact...Whatever you feel comfortable with...

I do have a loom strop, an old one from the 1800's. It's adjustable, but does have quite a bit of flex in it.