Strop Repair

[Brains]

Please, will someone give me some measurable reason to use my oft neglected linen strop? I'm sorry, but I'm ready to learn. My leather strop always seems to get it done and when it doesn't, I take it back to the finishing stone. What am I missing? Will the linen strop make a difference? It must be there for a reason. I wonder if it was there for barber's back in the day that weren't as dialed in as we seem to be here. Not every barber had the stones we have available. Was it a quick remedy?

I guess it has to do with quality of edge,
My edges are not the best so after Honig the Linen takes it to the level I need and the leather turns it to a smooth edge. I tried skipping leather and it was sharp but not smooth.
You must be producing very good edges and can skip linen,

 

[Bogie]

I am a little reluctant to add a step in the sharpening routine with the linen. I don't think it would hurt but I just do know if it is a good step since what I am doing is working for me. I usually finish an edge on a coticule or a JNAT. I then give it about forty or fifty passes on a .005 diamond pasted paddle strop ( Tony Miller's) and then to a latigo leather side of the paddle strop. After that, it all seems good. I was just curious about other folks experience using the linen. If the linen works for you, then you may not want to change it. There is always another way to get to your destination. Think there is only one way? Check a road map. It is always good to share your experiences and results for others to consider. Always looking for another (easier) way to get to the same place, a sharp and smooth edge.

 

[Brains]

I am a little reluctant to add a step in the sharpening routine with the linen. I don't think it would hurt but I just do know if it is a good step since what I am doing is working for me. I usually finish an edge on a coticule or a JNAT. I then give it about forty or fifty passes on a .005 diamond pasted paddle strop ( Tony Miller's) and then to a latigo leather side of the paddle strop. After that, it all seems good. I was just curious about other folks experience using the linen. If the linen works for you, then you may not want to change it. There is always another way to get to your destination. Think there is only one way? Check a road map. It is always good to share your experiences and results for others to consider. Always looking for another (easier) way to get to the same place, a sharp and smooth edge.

I agree with you, there are many ways to get an edge and I am forever a humble student. I have my first Jnat on its way to me, up to now I used synthetic and Coticule. I have high hopes to be able to produce better edges with Jnat and Nagura.

 

[PLANofMAN]

Please, will someone give me some measurable reason to use my oft neglected linen strop?...

Linen is made from flax. Flax naturally contains a lot of silica. Silica is abrasive.

In addition to the minor sharpening benefits offered by linen, it also removes any bits of stubble or lather you may have missed before using the leather side. After honing, it removes any traces of oil, stone dust, or metal. All things you don't really want embedded in your leather strop.

 

[Bogie]

I mentioned mineral oil on my repair post. It worked good. After looking through the cabinet and treating the strop with neatsfoot oil, I'd have to say neatsfoot oil is a better choice than mineral oil. I used it on some horn scales in the past to bring them back to life. Seems leather like it too!