Thread: Length of time to becoming a compitent stropper.

A few months to get competent and comfortable with it, but 4 1/2 years later I'm still making slight improvements

Originally Posted by rodb

A few months to get competent and comfortable with it, but 4 1/2 years later I'm still making slight improvements

The last strop I saw posted with great pride looked like it was thrown under the deck of a very capable lawn mower... and the caption read: still works fine...

I hope that wasn't yours... Didn't look anything like mine... so I quit worrying about it...

I would have to say that each time I think that I have achieved proficiency at stropping I find myself discovering another nuance that improves my technique and ultimately my edges.

Yes... no matter what I do it seems to get better.

I have stopped nicking my strop, but the way I flip the blade in anticipation of the next flip... makes the last one more important...

I do find myself stopping mid strop when I know the next flip isn't going to happen... trail off the stroke... lifting off the leather and picking up the razor in my hand... and taking a breath.. and a better grip.

I guess earlier on... that resulted in a nick.

I guess when we slow down and talk about these things we find out all manner of stuff we can avoid...



Wait a minute!!!! You knew that!!!!

thanks...

tc

I got my first strop, and wrecked it....that was about 45 years ago.
Then I got a new strop....that was about 40 years ago....and it lasted a long time.
Next, injured right hand and had to learn to strop left-handed....trashed it...10 years ago.
Got another new strop...."Lefty" thought he was doing pretty good, until....
Discovered SRP, watched AFDavis11's wonderful video/wiki....last year sometime.
Got inspired, bought a primo new strop, started paying attention anew....9 months ago.
Now: no nicks, and a vast improvement altogether.
Still learning.

Thanks SRP and AFDavis 11 !

Paul

about 4 months of stropping twice a week before I felt semi-comfortable. My real trick now is getting used to stropping different razors, seems i need to adjust my technique for every different one

As we've seen, there won't be a standard answer. It totally depends on the individual - manual dexterity, hand/eye coordination, sensitivity to audio & tactile stimulation - they all come into play to strop effectively. How quickly an individual can adjust to any of those factors is dependant on their own learning curve. Myself, I felt comfortable stropping very early on, but was probably not entirely competant for a few months. Stropping is like any skill though, you only get better with practice, and when you think you know everything about stropping you learn more.

Personally when ever I encounter a new straight it feels like I am starting anew. I judge my own skill based upon the time it takes to get to grips with each blade. A well shaped spine helps too. I have found my Red Imp and Wosternholm (reground by Alex Jacques) are the easiest out of my collection thanks to how they feel.

I suppose that the quality of your first strop could be a factor too. Also your state of mind when you do it. I only shave at night since in the morning I'm far too tired and the risk of losing a cheek is too great.

Started straight shaving exclusively about 2 months ago and just now not dulling it down after the felt...This past week i did not have to touch up the blade mid-week. I have also watched the stropping videos (several times) in Wiki links and am just now stopping at about 40 per minute. Don't know that I am competent yet but it is improving. Yesterdays shave was the most comfortable yet. Its so encouraging to know that nobody starts off with BBS shaves.

6 months is probably the average from incompetency, to adequate to fluid competency. Nicks are like scars and wrinkles, they add character.