Thread: Too much draw?

Jimmy

thanks for the reply. I feel the same way; as if the heaviness of the draw is dictating the stropping motion too much. Looks like I need a horsehide strop )

Draw seems a controversy. The fact that guys get nice edges from heavy and light draw is my first tip that no one likely has authoritative input on the subject. I still find many aspects of stropping baffling. That doesn't mean there aren't differences - they show up in the HHT for me after using different materials

Having started out as a stropping idiot, I started w/ latigo, and found, like Jimmy, that it could be grabby and I had a hard time keeping a stroke smooth and light. I tried different leathers, and like many, found horse hide easy. Yay team. Further reading exposed me to the school that wanted high-draw first, then low draw. It had a consistency to the edge, but sometimes just latigo would give best results. For the last 6 mo. or so, I've been back to latigo almost exclusively, and been very pleased. I hold the razor differently to guard against the dreaded 'grab' that damaged several strops in just the fashion Jimmy describes. The smaller blades are the worst for me. The small size, low mass - allows them to flip over on their spines so fast that there's no stopping before you see the edge sunk into you strop. My grip, now, is right up against the heel of the blade w/ my thumb contatcting the heel. 'Been a long time since I've brutalized a strop this way. I don't think of it as a 'right' way, but just one I've been able to make work. 'Nothing sacred about the method - I'll let someone else argue with anything that works.

I have been telling people for years a simple rule about draw vs stropping effectiveness...

"The most effective draw for the razor's edge is the one that you strop the smoothest with"

I just stropped and shaved and did two things differently :

1) did not hold the linen part with the leather, making the strop less thick

2) I purposely used as light a pressure as I could

they both helped. It definitely seemed smoother and less pressure really make the difference as much as anything. still going to get a horsehide though and see it I like that.

I agree with the past 2 replies bieng that whatever is the smoothest for u is what's gonna work best. also that you have to have different techniques for different draws ( somewhat) . also I would say that heavy draw is not for beginners.

Originally Posted by Swerve

I agree with the past 2 replies bieng that whatever is the smoothest for u is what's gonna work best. also that you have to have different techniques for different draws ( somewhat) . also I would say that heavy draw is not for beginners.

I've been straight shaving,stropping and honing for about 18 months so I'm not sure if I'm a real beginner but I get your point. Smooth is key.

I guess I should apply to be Glen's head cheer leader. I just find out things on my own and he confirms that in a post I read later or I take his advice and it seems to work out the best for me. I would add one cent to this conversation and that is when I hear fast and slow I think some may be talking about 2 different things. While it may feel slower actually moving your razor across the strop I think it is actually straightening out the edge faster. Just a microscopic picture that forms in my head when stropping :<0) .

Originally Posted by 10Pups

While it may feel slower actually moving your razor across the strop I think it is actually straightening out the edge faster. Just a microscopic picture that forms in my head when stropping :<0) .

Hmmm That reminds me of the saying that comes from the Shooting and Martial Arts world "Slow is Smooth, Smooth is fast"

Very Zen Like LOL