Is stropping easy or...

[UngerWoo]

...am I doing something wrong?

I attach the leather strop to the door handle and pull it taut. Then rest the blade on one end with very light pressure, I push the blade (spine leading) up the strop. Then flip it on its spine and pull it down the strop. I repeat this process a number of times.

I'm new to straight shaving, but unless I'm doing something wrong, I don't see how you can screw this up. Am I missing something?

 

[drocu]

Nope, that's it.

It's easy to nick the strop though which, I suppose, is the hard part. I'm still learning but I find that I tend to nick the strop at the point where I flip the blade and change directions. This seems to occur exclusively at the end where I'm holding.

 

[BakerAndBadger]

It's easy to nick the strop though which, I suppose, is the hard part. I'm still learning but I find that I tend to nick the strop at the point where I flip the blade and change directions. This seems to occur exclusively at the end where I'm holding.

Funny you shoudl say that, I had the same thing when I started too. Haven't nicked it for a good while now though, have to make sure that your movement has finished before flipping - otherwise you nick the leather and ruin your edge!
What has made me laugh is that I bought two strops (luckily the poorman ones from Whipped Dog) and I reckon I'll probably PIF the one I haven't used in the near future, that or give it to my bro with a straight.

 

[drocu]

What has made me laugh is that I bought two strops (luckily the poorman ones from Whipped Dog) and I reckon I'll probably PIF the one I haven't used in the near future, that or give it to my bro with a straight.

Yeah, I did the exact same. I'm using the cheaper strop to learn on but I've found it completely sufficient, despite the nicks. The other strop is just sitting in the closet. I wish I hadn't listened to the advice to buy two strops because I'd suredly ruin the first.

 

[Doc226]

That is it. It just takes some time to get the hand of it. There needs to be some fluidity in the motion. I nicked my poor mans strop at first even when doing slow and stopping at the ends. You really need to start moving the blade "back" before the edge hits the leather.

 

[Sando]

I find it easier to strop 'up' with the hook anchored at about shoulder height instead of waist or so.

...Ray

 

[Luc]

It's easy to nick the strop. The process itself is simple yes.

 

[drocu]

That is it. It just takes some time to get the hand of it. There needs to be some fluidity in the motion. I nicked my poor mans strop at first even when doing slow and stopping at the ends. You really need to start moving the blade "back" before the edge hits the leather.

Ah, that must be it. I do tend to go quite slowly because I'm trying to be cautious.

 

[hokahay]

The frequency of the nicking is directly proportional to the cost and desirability of the strop.

 

[ouch]

I don't think you should turn your wrist so much- it can put too much torque on the blade.

 

[Doc226]

I don't think you should turn your wrist so much- it can put too much torque on the blade.

I have better control of the razor if I don't roll it between my fingers. I keep the pressure light even with the wrist roll.

 

[ouch]

Hey, whatever works. If it feels right, it is right.

 

[Krodor]

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Hey this is easy!
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>CHUNK<
Ah dang!!!! I missed the flip at the top!!!

 

[Jporco]

The frequency of the nicking is directly proportional to the cost and desirability of the strop.

And - as I have found - correlated to the speed at which you strop.

 

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

I tried holding it both ways. First rolling the tang through my fingers and thumb at each turn. I did this for a time and was ok with it but for me the second way was better. Plant your thumb on one side of the tang and leave it there. Instead of rolling the tang between thumb and fingers you angle your wrist down on the push stroke and then arch it up on the pull stroke. This while leaving your thumb on the same spot on the tang. I imagine Youtube has some tutorials. Start slow like you are and use a cheapie strop. You'll get it.

 

[Khay]

The frequency of the nicking is directly proportional to the cost and desirability of the strop.

This is a corollary of the Murphy's Law <g>

 

[paco664]

This is a corollary of the Murphy's Law <g>

and directly proportional to blood/alcohol content....

 

[Nova316]

That is why you start on a starter strop before you go onto the nice ones.
I nicked the hell out of the one Rick put into my starter kit on my first couple of runs.. might explain my dull edge as well.

Getting way to confident then slicing a deep gash out of it.
Might be why I am so cautious on my Walking Bridle and Clyesdale now

 

[Pkrankow]

Uuuuuuupppppp
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Uuuuuuuuppp
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Uuupp
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Baack
Up
Back
Upbackupbackupback
Hey this is easy!
Upbackupbackupbackup
>CHUNK<
Ah dang!!!! I missed the flip at the top!!!

+ a whole bunch!

My home made paddle strop has only 1 nick in it. My hanging strop looks horrid, like an animal chewed on it. I use the paddle strop much more than the hanging strop.

Phil

 

[GreatScott]

In a nutshell, yes, OP, it's just that easy.

And you'll (probably) nick your strop a bit... you'll (more than likely) trash your edge in any number of ways... and you'll (definitely) go through a learning curve until your technique tightens up.

Murphys Rule of Combat #14; The important things are always simple. The simple things are always hard. The easy way is always mined.