Draw on English Bridle

[shaverjoe]

I currently only have an English Bridle strop. Prior to each stropping, I rub the oil from my hands and face along the length of the strop. This is the only strop I have ever used so I have nothing for comparison, but I feel I get very little draw from the strop. It feels as if the razor is simply sliding along the strop's surface without any draw.

1. Is this common of English Bridle?
2. Are the oils from my hands and face too much for the strop?

Just curious if there is a way to improve the draw on the strop. Thanks.

 

[Legion]

The English bridle strop I used to own had very little draw as well.

You don't need to rub your face on the strop (although that is a funny image). Just a quick wipe with your hand should be sufficient. It is about a very gradual application of oils over time. No need to rush it.

 

[Doc226]

I get visions on a pimply faced kid.

I have three strops.

A TM steer hide/linen very slick, very smooth. Linen is very loud.

A Kanayama the suede side has a significant grab. The leather has a very distinct feel. You can feel it grabbing just a tad but it is very smooth.

Third is a no name that I don't even know the type of leather. Hardly use this one. It is my try out strop.

 

[shaverjoe]

The English bridle strop I used to own had very little draw as well.

You don't need to rub your face on the strop (although that is a funny image). Just a quick wipe with your hand should be sufficient. It is about a very gradual application of oils over time. No need to rush it.

I rub my face with my hand, then rub the strop with my hand. Although, maybe rubbing the strop on my face would be optimal.

 

[Nova316]

I do the same thing as you shaverjoe,
my english bridle as a lot of draw you can feel the blade sticking to the leather
I have the walkin Horse 2.5" from WCS

Well compared to my practice strop and Clydesdale Strop

 

[raccoonandbrush]

I don't rub my hand, or my face on the strop, and it has worked out just fine.

 

[Tony Miller]

English Bridle can vary a bit depending on the tannery. I have used both a matt finish bridle leather for trim, handles and a few strops and more recently an almost semi-gloss / glossy finish hide for strop bodies. The draw has ranged from medium to an almost horsehide light feel.

Oild from the skin will typically help the draw on any strop and are far more easy to control that just applying dressings or Neat's Foot Oil. Skin oils go on in tiny layers each time you rub the strop and that, combined with the heat and massaging action from rubbing help them become distributed into and across the leather.

Dressings or oils applied directly typically are put on too heavily in many cases. If using them it may be best to put a tiny bit in your hand, rub your hands together then apply as it if was just your hand's natural oils a few times over a week or so until the desired feel is achieved.

For those here old enough to remember the Brylcreem (hair pomade) commercials the first three lines of their jingle pretty much covers dressings.......

"Bryl-creem, a little dab'll do ya, Use more, only if you dare, But watch out......"

I myself am not much on using dressings or oils but this is how I would do when I do.

Tony

 

[DogHair]

I have a nice Ambrose English Bridle with minimal draw but I don't think I've taken the time to properly break it in. I'm hoping it softens up at some point.