I have seen stropping videos where they have had one end of the strop placed very high on the wall and stropped at about 45 degrees . Are there any advantages to this or is it personal preference.
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I have seen stropping videos where they have had one end of the strop placed very high on the wall and stropped at about 45 degrees . Are there any advantages to this or is it personal preference.
OOps sorry I have posted the above in the wrong place
It's just personal preference really. Just find a position that is comfortable for you. Mine usually hangs where the strop comes straight out, or slightly uphill. It's just what is comfortable for me.
If you're in a cramped space where you can't hold the strop horizontally, then hanging it high at a 45 degree angle may be the only way to go. Personally, I prefer to have the strop almost horizontal, as it makes stropping easier. Whatever floats your boat.
As horizontal as possible at waist high.
I have always gone for either a slight up angle or a slight down angle, I honestly think it helps reduce downward pressure, but really whatever is more comfortable for you will probably help make the overall stropping effect better....
I like door knob high which results in a nearQuote:
Originally Posted by Baldylocks
horizontal strop. The advantage is that door knobs
are all about the same height (+).
Next time you are in the barber shop ask where
the "strop hook" is on the chair. You will find
that it is not horizontal in most cases.
The key is personal preference and be consistent.
You are building muscle memory and consistent
is key for this. The far, center and near parts of
the strop should not feel very different.
(+) door knobs... do not tie a strop so it pulls the
knob. I use a double loop on the inside and outside
knob pulling in a straight line. Older door knobs
will pull out and leave you stranded (locked in or out).
Watch out for for plaster and drywall hooks that will
also pull out and leave a mess. Same for towel racks
and other handy places not intended for day in and
day out use as a hook. Common sense .... but
the use of a strop is uncommon enough that we
should think about it.
Attachment 84340
I have my hooks mounted at about 6 feet.
Not sure why I started with that height, but it works for me:)
Strop at any angle you like. all the above posts are correct. On the contrary in order to learn stropping you might consider mounting the strop at the exact height of your arm at a 90 degree angle. Just below the elbow. This will allow you to employ a natural swinging motion when stropping. An experienced person can strop any way they like. I would caution against having the far end lower than the handle. That seems awkward to me, but you might find that just right for you.
I like a slight uphill stropping motion
My strops are used about 5" above my waist for a slight uphill movement.
Waist height and straight horizontal works best for me. I recently restored an old loom strop though and I Must say even though its small I love the results from it. You can hold it anywhere you want.
I have two strops that that are hung just over head height, and two others just above waist height.
They all work.
I just hang my SRD Paddle Strop on my table. That seems to work for me.
My preference is also waist high and horizontal for hanging strops.
Some say that vertical stropping is lighter on the edge, but like shaving I think technique is probably more important. A light, consistent, smooth stroke on a not too taught strop yields amazing results. Once mastered it can be one of the most enjoyable and nostalgic steps in a SR shave. Paddle strops and balsa or even newspaper on a water-stone may be more consistent for beginners and they travel well, but for me working the hanging strop is manly and very cool! :gl:
