Thread: zipping sound on canvas

Hi,

When stropping on canvas with my blade running with the grain of the canvas straight across, it makes a zipping sounds. When I draw the blade in an X pattern the zipping is much quieter or not there.

Should I be doing it one way verses an other? It's new strop.

Thanks,
Mike

Most guys will recommend the x-pattern, but it's really whatever floats your boat. Don't worry either, the "zipping" sound is quite normal for the material side

Originally Posted by mbrando

Hi,

When stropping on canvas with my blade running with the grain of the canvas straight across, it makes a zipping sounds. When I draw the blade in an X pattern the zipping is much quieter or not there.

Should I be doing it one way verses an other? It's new strop.

Thanks,
Mike

The zipping sound is the spine running over texture on the
canvas side of the strop (I am guessing Illinois Razor Co. Strop??).

My guess is that your X stroke rotates the razor to a slight diagonal so
the spine never sees the ups and downs on the canvas to
make it buzz. The fresher and sharper the spine is the
more it will buzz.

Either way is fine but be consistent.

Ideal case you want the stroke to run the entire edge
on the strop and the X is the classic stroke for that.

If you have a 3" strop you dont need to do an X stroke, just back and forth. If you cant fit all the width of the blade on the strop at once then you'll need an X stroke.

My SRD webbed fabric is very noisy when you strop (a zipping sound as you say), but its nothing to worry about.

Hi,

Thank you for all the response. It's an Illinois razor strop with leather and canvas. So it the sound it normal then. I'm thinking the x-pattern is what I should be doing since the blade is just a bit wider than the leather.

I have one more question:

Just how tight should I be holding the the strop? Just enough to keep the sage out while stropping? I've read the if the strop sage too much it can fold the edge or round it. Does any one strop with leather mounted on a stiff surface like a wood block?

Thanks,
Mike

If the blade is wider than the strop, then yes, an X stroke is the way to go.

I hold mine so that I get no more than 2-3mm of sag when I strop. I dont put much pressure on the razor, basically just enough to keep it flat on the strop.

You dont want there to be inches of sag, nor do you want the strop so taut that you can bounce a penny off it..! A few millimetres of sag is fine though, and I'm very happy with the edges I'm getting. I get good edge longevity as well, and (back when I just had one razor) I got a good few weeks of use before I needed to touch up on paste.

Some people do prefer to use paddle strops, but I personally prefer the hanging variety. Its really up to you! If you want to, you can lay the strop flat on the table for use, but I find that as long as your stropping technique is good, you should get good results!

Originally Posted by Stubear

If the blade is wider than the strop, then yes, an X stroke is the way to go.

I hold mine so that I get no more than 2-3mm of sag when I strop. I dont put much pressure on the razor, basically just enough to keep it flat on the strop.

Hi,

Thanks, that helps a lot. So a little sag/movement is okay. I try this for a while. At one point I could see if I pulled too hard the strop would pucker and the blade would not make even contact. I figured that was wrong, but hen was not sure if maybe my strop was not right.

I think this will well then. Firm grip but no too firm.

Thanks,
Mike

Hi Mike,

No problem, glad I could help!

It should really just be a smooth comfortable stroke. If you find you're putting a load of tension on the strop or pressure on the razor, just ease off a touch and get things back in that comfort spot!

Good luck and keep us posted!

All the best,

Stuart

Sometimes when the blade is not flat it will make a zipping noise more than it should, I hope this is not the problem and like the others have said, an X stroke is more appropriate on a narrow strop.

IME: If you're using nylon or SRD's Poly Web, the zipping is normal... However, if you're using canvas (Specifically TM's Raw Linen) you'll get a zipping sound when you raise the spine and, by doing that, put too much pressure on the edge... Don't do that

Cheers,
Jeremy