Linen+Leather

[Rancor16]

How many of yall strop with the linen and the leather consecutively? Is it even necessary?

 

[conteins]

i do. as for "necessary", i say yes only because most men in the old days had it, so it must have become a fixture in the shaving kit for a reason.

 

[Luc]

I do both also, always... Necessary? Not sure but I think it helps keeping the edge longer!

 

[holli4pirating]

I use only leather. Linen is not necessary, though it may be benificial. In shaving with a straight, all that is "necessary" is the razor. It doesn't even have to be that sharp if you can tolerate it being dull.

 

[richmondesi]

From my experience, I wouldn't consider it "necessary". However, my razor maintenance is significantly better since incorporating the linen. Having said that, there's a whole other discussion that could be had relating to how much of that has to do with improved stropping technique, improved leather selection, number of strokes etc.

FWIW, I don't anticipate switching away from a cloth component of some sort. I wouldn't say "linen" per se because lately, I'm using a rather nice synthetic material with very good results.

 

[Leon]

I always do about 20 laps on the linen and something like 50 on the leather.

 

[JPM]

I always start with linen, then go to latigo and then horsehide.

 

[Bertilak]

I always do the "linen" first (20-30) followed by leather (50-75).

I put "linen" in quotes because I only have cotton and felt.

I also use the cotton or felt right after a shave (~10) to be sure the edge is absolutely dry.

 

[Leche]

I start with Dovo White Paste treated Cotton for 30 laps, then move to the leather for 50. Is it necessary, probably not but it leaves a smoother edge IMO and makes the edge last much longer between refreshing it.

 

[mdunn]

20ish on linen, 60ish on leather. Every time.

 

[huntmol]

YMMV, use what works for you.

I personally believe that a linen component is absolutely neccessary if you want your edges to last.

I do 50 Linen w/ Dovo White, 30 Latigo, and 30 Horsehide before every shave and my edges last so long I sometimes forget the last time I honed them!

 

[domino]

I like 30/50 on my TM horsehide and linen.

 

[Rancor16]

I used linen for the first time tonight (after making this post) and the increased sharpness was very noticable. I'll have to be a little more careful next time since I know what to expect lol.

 

[Chimensch]

I agree with all of the above (25 linen/50 leather) and just wanted to add that the only time I DON'T use the linen is just after honing, when I use just the leather. I also strop after shaving (25 on the leather) to make sure the razor is dry.

 

[Will P.C.]

For the a few months I only used the linen after shaving 25/55 because I heard that using the linen before shaving made for a rough edge

I tried the linen out before the shave a few weeks ago and love it. I don't notice any drastic changes or anything, but it def. doesn't hurt my edge or face.

 

[azmark]

Linen is great because it cleans up what doesn't get rinsed off. I'll normally do about 30 on linen, 50 latigo, 30 horse hide but I couldn't tell you if those numbers are correct, I always lose count

 

[Leon]

the only time I DON'T use the linen is just after honing, when I use just the leather.

Really? I do. Because since I use CrOx as the final polishing step, there might be some of this powder stuck in the edge that linen can help take it out.

 

[richmondesi]

Really? I do. Because since I use CrOx as the final polishing step, there might be some of this powder stuck in the edge that linen can help take it out.

I use it every time too, but I don't use pastes... ever... I might pick some up when I want good results in the shortest possible time, but I don't anticipate doing that anytime soon

 

[C23]

I think it is important. I always use fabric before leather and after shaving just fabric. Keeps the leather clean and after shaving keeps the bevel clean and dry. Also fabric after honing since I hone with water, will clean off the water and hone material.