Using a used strop

Hi there, I'm new to straight shaving, got into it by finding a razor at a flea market. A local member gave me his old Poor Man's Strop from when he was new. The strop was nicked and cut up pretty bad, so I sanded it to smooth it a little, and sanded the back side of the strop a little. I've been primarily using the back side to strop, thinking it may work like a linen strop since the texture is rougher. Then I finish it on the smooth side, but I still worry that the nicks and cuts in it could harm the edge. I can't sand them out, because they are too deep. Any thoughts on this being OK for my Razor? Also how much pressure do you use when stropping? I plan on getting a better strop when I get more experience.

So far, it seems to be working well though. The initial act of stropping took a little getting used to, but I seem to have got the hang of it; still haven't nicked it. When I got my razor honed, I didn't think it was shave ready; it passed the HHT only about 20% of my attempts to test it. After about of week of stropping and shaving, the blade now seems much sharper. It easily passes the HHT every time.

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Originally Posted by BobK

So far, it seems to be working well though. The initial act of stropping took a little getting used to, but I seem to have got the hang of it; still haven't nicked it. When I got my razor honed, I didn't think it was shave ready; it passed the HHT only about 20% of my attempts to test it. After about of week of stropping and shaving, the blade now seems much sharper. It easily passes the HHT every time.

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When what you're doing works well, don't change it!

The pressure on the spine is irrelevant -- the strop can bend around the spine. But the strop should _not_ bend around the edge. Put almost all the pressure on the spine, and very little on the edge.

Charles

Sounds to me like the strop is toast. Unless you have some large clear areas on the main stropping surface. Deep cuts are a no no.

As far as pressure goes use minimal unless you want to round the edge.

What about using the rough side of the strop? It's not real rough, but there is some texture to it. I think using that side is what sharpened the edge up, but would it leave the edge not smooth enough?

I would recommend that you sand the front side as smooth as you possibly can and complement the newly sanded strop with some sort of fabric 2nd strop of polyester or cotton or even felt from SRD. Then you will have a set-up that will do your edges justice. Why play games? Good luck.