Nicks?

[MetroNome]

I keep reading that many newbies nick a strop. How is that if you go slow, lead with spine, and have a horizontal blade angle? I am about to start using a SR and was wondering where in the process most of the nicks occur......

 

[Thebigspendur]

Stropping is one of those things that seems very straight forward and simple until you starting actually doing it yourself and then realize there is more to it than meets the eye.

Most people run into nick problems because they have issues when they lift the razor or flip it at the end of a stroke or they stroke inconsistantly and/or the razor takes a motion they don't want it to take.

 

[Synack]

Yes, it sounds and even looks simple, until you actually try it . You will nick your strop. I highly suggest picking up a starter strop, or even an old belt, before trying to use a nice one.

Personally, I had a problem flipping the blade at the end of every pass. I always somehow edged the blade into the leather (continuing the previous motion on accident.) My first Filly is a complete disaster. I actually picked up another, just in case. So far this replacement has survived a few months without a scratch.

I suppose once you have some muscle memory in place, you'll be set .

 

[MetroNome]

So I assume once you put a nick in the leather somewhere in the stroke/blade path, the leather can no longer create the smooth consistency needed to bring the blade back into sharpness?

 

[leighton]

I keep reading that many newbies nick a strop. How is that if you go slow, lead with spine, and have a horizontal blade angle? I am about to start using a SR and was wondering where in the process most of the nicks occur......

Same reason so many things happen. Its just the way things work.

You can't go slow forever. Its not effective or efficient. At least according to the latest study on stropping speed. And when you speed up, you nick the strop. Another variable is tautness of the strop. Take away the variable by using a paddle strop or a table, and the chance of nicks goes down slightly. Basically, unless your super-human, the best you can hope for is to severely reduce the chance of nicking your strop. This may mean you only get one or two nicks, but your going to nick it.

Besides, I highly doubt you'll want to spend 30 minutes stropping. We recommend at least 60-100 laps for daily stropping for maximum edge retention.

 

[mdunn]

Stropping is one of those things that seems very straight forward and simple until you starting actually doing it yourself and then realize there is more to it than meets the eye.

Most people run into nick problems because they have issues when they lift the razor or flip it at the end of a stroke or they stroke inconsistantly and/or the razor takes a motion they don't want it to take.

+1

but once youve done it a bunch youre on easy street