Thread: Getting it started

Good day all,

Finally getting my straights to be sharpened and while waiting for them to return my mind turns toward strops.

I understands what a strop does, both aligning and sharpening, but how often should you strop? With knives and steels you should use it every time and depending on the work maybe several times but that doesn't remove metal just aligning.

Also the FAQs show the work being done on a leather strop but it looks like there are several other materials used. Most of the strops I see seem to have two materials such as leather and some form of cloth. One comes with 4 types.

Thanks,
Jim

There seems to be many ways that works for different people.
Here's what I do:
I strop on linen and leather before my shave.
About 30/60 respectively seems to work for me.
In addition I also strop after my shave.
Then I will typically do about 20/40.
Stroping after the shave is done because I want to get rid of any gunk and moisture before putting it away before the next use, whenever that may be.

Again, others have other routines that works for them, this is only what works for me.

The general consensus is use a strop each time you use the razor. Folks have their own system. Personally it's 10 strokes on cloth and 60 on the leather before shaving.

What if you are starting out and only have a plain leather strop? Do you use the back "rough" side of the strop first?

Hello, morcoffee,
If I had just a plain leather strop, I would use the smooth side and shave away. It's nice to have a two-sided strop, or a strop with two separate strips, one smooth leather and the other linen, hemp, or fabric. If that's not possible, then the smooth leather side will work just fine. Stay well.

Different strokes as they say, literally. Some guys like just leather, as a matter of fact, I have a single strop that's just one piece of leather, cowhide to be exact. Works great. I also have a Kanayama strop, which is high end, and 3 pieces. I don't use it, just look at it every once in a while. Too expensive to use....It's like a Ferrari, I just take it out and rub it every once in a while....Most strops are two pieces, that what I use, and prefer. Cloth or Linen first, 25 lapps followed by leather, and I'll do around 50. That's just hanging strops. You have paddles, and looms too. The four piece strop you saw is probably the SRD Modular strop. That's a good deal because the material is held on by magnets. You can interchange materials. If you get into pastes, (used for honing) That can come in handy.
It also gives you the chance to try different materials, and replace them should you have an accident.

P.S. How often should you strop? At the beginning of every shave. Some guys strop when they're finished shaving as well, so at the beginning and the end, it's really personal preference and not necessary (to strop at the end of your shave).

Originally Posted by Obie

Hello, morcoffee,
If I had just a plain leather strop, I would use the smooth side and shave away. It's nice to have a two-sided strop, or a strop with two separate strips, one smooth leather and the other linen, hemp, or fabric. If that's not possible, then the smooth leather side will work just fine. Stay well.

Even a strip of denim would do for fabric.

Only having about 10-12 shaves under my belt, take this for what it's worth. A few shaves ago, I used the fabric strop (first time) then the leather 20/60.
I feel it made a good difference. I shave with a Bengal, it's my only razor.