Tips on how to stop nicking strops?

[pelicano]

I can get a nice edge out of a strop, but I turn strops into porridge.

I have a Illinois which works fine and I'm not afraid to hurt, a SRD 2" Latigo which I haven't used much after I gave it a couple of nicks, and a TM 3" latigo which I haven't used at all out of fear of ruining it it 30 seconds.

I do use the practice strop, and thank God for that option. It received various nicks and slices after one day of use.

Tips on how to treat my strops better will be highly appreciated.

 

[Bruce]

Run the razor spine leading (of course) and rotate the edge up while still moving the razor, then change direction by starting the return stroke, and then rotate the edge down into contact with the leather. The razor needs to be moving away from the edge when you are taking the edge off contact or putting it back into contact with the strop.

 

[bradyarz]

i haven't nicked my filly yet. *fingers crossed*

only 3 shaves in so far, though.

 

[pelicano]

The razor needs to be moving away from the edge when you are taking the edge off contact or putting it back into contact with the strop.

This is what I haven't quite mastered yet.

 

[Bertilak]

My tips:

Very important: The full length of the spine should *always* lie completely on the strop.

Concentrate on running the spine along the strop. Let the blade simply follow along for the ride. When turning over at the end of a stroke, think of it as sliding the spine back under the blade instead of thinking of it as flipping the edge up over the blade.

Well, it helps me.

 

[pelicano]

My tips:

When turning over at the end of a stroke, think of it as sliding the spine back under the blade instead of thinking of it as flipping the edge up over the blade.

Tried this and it seems to have improved. Thanks!

 

[TonyH]

My tips:

Very important: The full length of the spine should *always* lie completely on the strop.

Concentrate on running the spine along the strop. Let the blade simply follow along for the ride. When turning over at the end of a stroke, think of it as sliding the spine back under the blade instead of thinking of it as flipping the edge up over the blade.

Well, it helps me.

Great advice Bob! Maybe the best description I've heard.

 

[domino]

Try putting your thumb on top of the shank for control and your index on the bottom and roll the blade with those two fingers. The rest of the razor is supported by your other three fingers. You can practice the roll first before touching your strop.. Start at the top of the strop and pull downward.

 

[dreka]

Run the razor spine leading (of course) and rotate the edge up while still moving the razor, then change direction by starting the return stroke, and then rotate the edge down into contact with the leather. The razor needs to be moving away from the edge when you are taking the edge off contact or putting it back into contact with the strop.

Very important: The full length of the spine should *always* lie completely on the strop.

Concentrate on running the spine along the strop. Let the blade simply follow along for the ride. When turning over at the end of a stroke, think of it as sliding the spine back under the blade instead of thinking of it as flipping the edge up over the blade.

Wow! Really great advice. Reading this thread helped me realize that all of my nicks occurred while turning the blade.

I'll practice this the next time I strop.

 

[luvmysuper]

slow down.

successfully stropping at speed only comes with much practice and ingrained muscle memory.