Thread: Boker Stropping Instruction ???

So I went up to grab a nice shave and was able to get some insight I think into this idea. With really light stropping you can have a nice sharp edge. That edge seems to shave well at the lowest possible angle. Bigger angles; more likely irritation. Using the razor flat was okay, but around 10 degrees seemed better. Sharp razor; less smooth.

Although it was probably intuitive; the amount, pressure, and deflection used in stropping is probably a key factor in the perceived optimal shaving angle.

The thing that struck me was that Boker says 5-6 strokes on a "new razor". I think one has to consider each razor on it's merits & also how recently it was honed & how it was finished. No formula is set in stone. We have probably all shaved quite comfortably off our favourite polishing stones so I see stropping as a variable process.

Its a funny thing..since my full wedge razor..my old hollow ground razors. (sold em) I get 95% + BBS with heavier grinds...my beard is very coarse..like cactus whiskers :-)..now it makes sense!

smalltank,

I'm the same! I could shave with a hollow ground, but it was slow, grabby, and treacherous. I tried about every grind from the Boker Extra Hollow to a Sheffield wedge. I finally found my choice with a Wacker Keilschliff wedge, and it's my go to razor over any others. It's a "to each his own" but I've found mine also!!

Regards,

Howard

It seems to me that in order to make an exact determination as to how many round trips on the strop is enough, one would have to lather up and, with a shave ready blade, do 5 round trips on the strop and make one shaving stroke on one's face.

Then do 5 more round trips on the strop, and make one more shaving stroke on one's face, then repeat this madness until one is satisfied that one has discovered the precise number of round trips on the strop necessary for achieving the optimum shaving edge via the strop.

I am personally down to 25 round trips on linen as well as leather. I was doing as many as 150 - 200 round trips on occasion and have since decided that fewer is better, However after almost 45 years of stropping, I still don't have the correct solution nailed down. That's why I am here reading this thread. Thanks for posting........

Jerry

Originally Posted by mrsell63

It seems to me that in order to make an exact determination as to how many round trips on the strop is enough, one would have to lather up and, with a shave ready blade, do 5 round trips on the strop and make one shaving stroke on one's face.

Then do 5 more round trips on the strop, and make one more shaving stroke on one's face, then repeat this madness until one is satisfied that one has discovered the precise number of round trips on the strop necessary for achieving the optimum shaving edge via the strop.

I am personally down to 25 round trips on linen as well as leather. I was doing as many as 150 - 200 round trips on occasion and have since decided that fewer is better, However after almost 45 years of stropping, I still don't have the correct solution nailed down. That's why I am here reading this thread. Thanks for posting........

Jerry

The solution exists as the Barber Manual "Thumb Pad Test" (it's not referred to as such in the manuals BTW). Once mastered it gives a very accurate approximation of shave readiness and saves time by doing away with the necessity to shave and strop, shave and strop, or any other type of "shave test."

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I am still reading and re-reading for where it says to do the HHT to check the edge before trying to shave

Sometimes I just make myself smile

You so funny, Senor!
I don't want to hijack this thread, so please feel free to move this to a more appropriate forum. All these pics of original instruction sheets has given me an idea that might be worth running past the moderators: What about creating a Wiki section that includes photos/downloads of these original instructions?

Originally Posted by mapleleafalumnus

You so funny, Senor!
I don't want to hijack this thread, so please feel free to move this to a more appropriate forum. All these pics of original instruction sheets has given me an idea that might be worth running past the moderators: What about creating a Wiki section that includes photos/downloads of these original instructions?

Are you volunteering ?

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Are you volunteering ?

If there's enough interest and I have permission from Lynn, the administrators and moderators, I may just do so!

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I don't, in practice, see any reason to do more than 10 strokes on a strop. Five to six would probably be fine.

I also do 5 very deliberate strokes per side before any regular shave. Seems to work fine for my needs and for my razors, and doing more seldom results in better shave.

However, I will sometimes sit there and do more, almost unconsciously, because doing repetitive motion is somewhat relaxing for the mind.