I'm new to shaving with straights and after getting my blade honed I shaved with it twice then decided to strop it so it would be ready for my next shave. I don't know where I messed up but the blade is definitely not sharp enough to shave with anymore. Its really making me uneasy cause I really want to learn to use straights. I was just wondering how bad can you really mess up stropping, or what to avoid at all costs while stropping, and if anyone here has had similar experiences. Also I feel like I would maybe feel more comfortable with a paddle strop. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
beginner problems with stropping
- Thread starter gregbey
- Start date
You can mess up an edge with bad stropping. The key to stropping is a tight strop and light razor (I use a more pressure than just weight of blade), they key is to make sure the spine is in contact with the leather at all time. Try placing your hanging strop on the counter and stropping that was for a bit, go slow and concentrade on making a good pass on the leather, spine in contact at all times.
Personally I prefer hanging strops but that is an individual thing.
Welcome to the site by the way
Personally I prefer hanging strops but that is an individual thing.
Welcome to the site by the way
Stropping is tricky, and like Doc says, you can mess up the edge with bad stropping. But sometimes you can bring back an edge with good stropping (like off the hones). There are a lot of variables, but a lot of it has to do with finger and thumb placement relative to the roll of the tang during the flip. Study the videos and find one that works for you and follow it. Doc is an expert on the subject, and has some videos. Different grips are discussed by Sham in the following video:
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Hi, yes you can mess up an edge by stropping improperly by rounding or convexing the edge a bit. Usually this can be fixed by proper stropping. Stropping moves the metal around and pulls the two sides to a near perfect symmetrical edge. But it sounds like you don't have an idea what proper stropping is.Does the blade make the same sound in both directions when you strop? Is the spine always in contact with the strop? You can try this: concentrate on putting pressure on the middle of the spine and let the edge follow with less pressure. Takes practice but at this point you have nothing to lose. Paddle strops are easier to use but don't have as much spring as a good supple leather hanging strop.
Good luck
Good luck
Dumb question of the day..please do not think me to be the total idiot here, but......
When stropping I understand the spine stays in contact with the leather; the blade is drawn across the strop (opposite the edge), blade is flipped 180 degrees on the spine and repeat the process. Fine....
My inane question-other than perhaps increasing the chance of nicking up the strop, why would it be wrong to turn the blade the other way? Specifically, picking up the blade slightly, turning it 180 degrees with the edge facing DOWN (not up like when keeping the spine on the strop) and repeating the stroke the opposite way? I'm thinking the edge is coming off the strop either way. For sure I know there has to be a reason, but I sure can't see what it is. no doubt it is going to something so simple it's sad, but I really would like to know.
When stropping I understand the spine stays in contact with the leather; the blade is drawn across the strop (opposite the edge), blade is flipped 180 degrees on the spine and repeat the process. Fine....
My inane question-other than perhaps increasing the chance of nicking up the strop, why would it be wrong to turn the blade the other way? Specifically, picking up the blade slightly, turning it 180 degrees with the edge facing DOWN (not up like when keeping the spine on the strop) and repeating the stroke the opposite way? I'm thinking the edge is coming off the strop either way. For sure I know there has to be a reason, but I sure can't see what it is. no doubt it is going to something so simple it's sad, but I really would like to know.
Are you talking about lifting the spine off first, kind of like an airplane taking off (someone here used that analogy & it's perfect, but I can't take credit for it!!)? You really don't wanna do that as you could much more easily roll the edge (and nick your strop)....
I think any time the edge is facing the strop you're more likely to cut the strop. The flip is where you're more likely to cut the strop anyway, so edge down is just increasing the odds.
Thanks to each of you for your responses but a big thanks to Alum of Potash for posting a link to that video. Wow! The light just went off! That grip makes so much difference! Until now I've felt like I was all thumbs trying to flip without turning my wrist. That little flick of the thumb is so easy! THANK YOU!
Why is "spring" a valuable addition to the stropping process?
Josh
weight of the blade and slight flipping of your wrist so edge makes contact...
There are some very good posts on stropping right here on B&B that might give you a better perspective on the intricasies of stropping a razor. Stropping is gently straightening the razor's edge. Stropping is NOT VIOLENTLY scraping the blade on the leather strop. We are talking finesse here. Honing is finesse, Stropping is also finesse. Think gentle. Think light pressure. Think soft touch.
And read all you can about the stropping subject. Someone above mentioned that you might try to lay your hanging strop on the edge of a countertop and strop your razor like that. Keep the spine of the razor in constant contact with the leather strop. Go slow and go light. And go often. Enjoy your shaves.
P.S. Any advice I give you is from the heart. I feel your pain. And someday you will feel my joy. Someday you will hone a razor and get the greatest shave of your life. I'll bet you can't wait!!!
And read all you can about the stropping subject. Someone above mentioned that you might try to lay your hanging strop on the edge of a countertop and strop your razor like that. Keep the spine of the razor in constant contact with the leather strop. Go slow and go light. And go often. Enjoy your shaves.
P.S. Any advice I give you is from the heart. I feel your pain. And someday you will feel my joy. Someday you will hone a razor and get the greatest shave of your life. I'll bet you can't wait!!!
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Great video! I thought I had it right until I saw it. Much easier now and I see what i was doing wrong.
Seth
Seth
