Tony Miller Steerhide Strop Construction Insight - Convex on purpose

[JHP]

I just had an email from Tony in response to an unrelated question. He wrote, ". . . I make my strops with a convex surface (high center.lower edges) the back will be the opposite (cupped) . . . I prefer the high center as with an X stroke the entire razor still touches and it greatly resists any tendancy to cup."

I haven't fully digested the ramifications of this, but I found it interesting and thought others might also. Perhaps all strop makers do this, but I hadn't run across it before.

Whether you like this feature or not, you have to give the man credit for having thought through every aspect of his product!

 

[Loner16]

I want my strop flat, thank you very much...

I'll decide how to get the entire edge!

 

[Obiwan]

I believe the convex construction TM mentions is ever so slight. Of course he/others can weigh in more.

 

[rajagra]

It's leather, not a manufactured steel item. If you aim to make it perfectly flat, there's a 50:50 chance of it being slightly concave (even if only by a micron), meaning only the two outside edges will contact the blade without pressure.
If you aim to make it slightly convex, you reduce the odds of getting a dud considerably.

Of course you could try to make them flat, throw away the 50% that are concave, then charge twice as much for the good ones.

 

[noahpictures]

Tony Miller makes beautiful strops and knows what he's doing.

 

[Lmarkow]

The quality of Tony's strops is proof of his thoughtfulness.

 

[inspiringK]

I like this idea, assuming the shape is very small. My strop (not a TM) seems to be "wearing" more on the edges than near the middle. I don't think my strop is concave, it seems flat, but I feel like a slight convex would be an improvement.

 

[JHP]

Just to clarify, I'm a very satisfied Tony Miller client. It was actually the first part of my kit that I selected. The razor came second. I've been thrilled with the quality of my strops from him. I'm actually not sure if "thrilled" fully conveys my satisfaction.

I just thought this was a very interesting fact, and thought others might enjoy knowing it too. Prior to knowing this, I was too lazy to do X-strokes. I was doing sets of heel strokes followed by sets of toe strokes that combined covered the whole blade. Knowing the construction of the strop has changed my stropping technique, that's all.

Just a fun fact for all. Hope it helps.

 

[shaverjoe]

I have 3 of Tony's strops. All 3 have a ever SO SLIGHT convex shape- so minimal, you really have to look to notice. IMO, this disappears with even the lightest pressure while stropping and I get great edges off all of my TM strops. Additionally, I don't see an uneven wear pattern along the middle of my TMs so I imagine that would suggest the convexity is again, minimal.

 

[Mo-beffah]

It's leather, not a manufactured steel item. If you aim to make it perfectly flat, there's a 50:50 chance of it being slightly concave (even if only by a micron), meaning only the two outside edges will contact the blade without pressure.
If you aim to make it slightly convex, you reduce the odds of getting a dud considerably.

Of course you could try to make them flat, throw away the 50% that are concave, then charge twice as much for the good ones.

Interesting. I noticed it on my instantly first time stropping but am glad it is not cupped the other way and its cool to know its on purpose. Thanks for the thread OP. Also to reiterate the post above mine. The leather is SO soft compared to the other two I have used. I believe it would be easier for this specific leather to adjust more so than others to flatten out with a little pressure if that's what your after. I like x-strokes though but maybe I will start a little farther on the heel now knowing this.

 

[JHP]

I have 3 of Tony's strops. All 3 have a ever SO SLIGHT convex shape- so minimal, you really have to look to notice. IMO, this disappears with even the lightest pressure while stropping and I get great edges off all of my TM strops. Additionally, I don't see an uneven wear pattern along the middle of my TMs so I imagine that would suggest the convexity is again, minimal.

+1

you have to give the man credit for having thought through every aspect of his product!

It's a well designed and implemented product.

 

[jkh]

IMO, this disappears with even the lightest pressure while stropping and I get great edges off all of my TM strops.

This is my thought exactly.

 

[rajagra]

I can't say I noticed any distortion of any sort on mine. It seems perfect, and I'm not going to bust out a micrometer or straight edge to look for a "problem."