Thread: nicks in strop

Yes and +1 to all that advice, the butterknife idea is great, when I started I used a dull Str8 razor[very cheap one of course, ZeepK I believe] and made my moves deliverately and smoothly, until I had built up enough small muscle memory to minimize nicks, gouges and errors. But if this helps you, remember to use your 3 inner fingers, pinky, ring, middle, to help flip the razor over, NOT just the thumb and index fingers!!! It's more of a rolling motion as much as a flipping motion. Takes time, practice and even that I remember enjoying while I stomp the heck out of the learning curve!
Enjoy your self, it's a great hobby!

tinkersd.

i used an old belt for about 2 weeks till mr.sell gave me a new strop as a gift and i just forced myself to go slow and take my time and ive never nicked my strop so as long as you focus and dont worry about going fast you will be fine.

When the strop comes, take your sharpest razor and put a nice big nick in it to get it over with. Seriously, I suggest going slow, and doing it right. Nicks happen sometimes. But, I think most nicks happen to a new guy, because they try to go too fast. Just remember, strop taught, spine always in contact, light pressure. Nicks can be sanded out with a nail file or something. Gouges? Now those need surgery. Good Luck.

I haven't nicked my strop yet with a razor - knock on wood. However, I do have a number of nicks in the strop when I decided to strop a couple of custom knives. I wasn't watching the tips of the knives when it came off the leather - a little nip here, a little tuck there.