First stropping a success (I think)

[JPM]

So, after reading the many stropping threads about newbies nicking brand new strops, I approached my first stropping with some trepidation. I've ordered a Tony Miller with a practice strop, but it hasn't arrived yet. I'm using the red latigo strop I ordered from Straight Razor Designs before I heard about the Tony Miller strop.

I did 20 strokes on the cotton side and then 60 on the leather side. I went pretty slowly and was super careful every time I flipped the blade. It made a nice rasping sound and I felt some draw on the leather. No nicks! After I was done, I did the hanging hair test and it cut the hair with no problem. So I guess I didn't totally ruin the edge, but the proof will be in tomorrow's shave.

Wish me luck!

 

[Tom Ford]

Sounds good mate, keep it up.

My razor arrived three days prior to my strop, and I felt the blade seemed dull after three days worth of shaves. Once it arrived and gave it a strop, (I still have no idea if I'm stropping correctly), the blade felt a lot smoother during the shave.

 

[OldSchoolYoungin]

That sound is great, isn't it?

Sounds like you did well. Stropping is one of the single most important variables in straight shaving. DON'T get too confident!

 

[JPM]

That sound is great, isn't it?

Sounds like you did well. Stropping is one of the single most important variables in straight shaving. DON'T get too confident!

Thanks. I do love the sound. I hear you about getting too confident. I haven't nicked it yet, but my attention strayed for a moment and I bumped into the rivets. Looks like I didn't do any damage to the blade, though. I can't wait for my practice strop to arrive, I won't be quite so worried about screwing up.