Thread: Stropping decorated spines

Didn't really know where to put it,
just wanted to ask, I've seen some fancy decorated spines on blades,
I always wondered, is there a chance that these decorated spines can damage a strop, scratch it or whatnot ? ;O

Originally Posted by jasp

Didn't really know where to put it,
just wanted to ask, I've seen some fancy decorated spines on blades,
I always wondered, is there a chance that these decorated spines can damage a strop, scratch it or whatnot ? ;O

I have two...a Dorko 300 and a Henckels Friodur INOX. The Dorko is the scratcher; however, the strop is not damaged...there are just a few superficial scratch marks that I "erase" by stropping the palm of my hand on the strop.HOG

Usually the decorations are filed into the spine, such that there shouldn't be any protruding parts.

I've got one by a custom maker, who shall remain nameless, that has scratched a strop. It is a Damascus pattern worked back blade so there is no sanding and polishing the offending area. My solution is to always use the same strop with that razor. This is the only workback I've run across that condition with and I have a number of them. Since then, if I ever get another worked back , I always try them on that same strop before I take them to any of my others.

The filed spine of my Dovo Bismarck will scratch up my strop pretty good. Not deep, gouging marks mind you, but definitely visible to the eye. I put 1 layer of clear Scotch tape on the spine and problem solved.

I also have a worked back Friodur, but that seems to be fairly easy on my strop.

My strop has taken some scuffing from decorated spines but I've noticed no difference in the performance. A good rub with your hand afterwards usually gets rid of most of it, although over time marks will build up.

AFAIK its not a major problem, just cosmetic!

I've never had the issue with mine but I've heard some have. In any case if it's a problem you can always do some light sanding to remove some of the roughness unless of course it has gold wash on it and then you're up the creek.

I have a few that do and a few that dont. It is not really a scratch, just a scuff mark on the strop. I dont worry about them. it just makes it look used, which it is. If the spine is carbon steel you could use some high grit sandpaper to buff it smooth but you will need to work up through micromesh (12000 grit) if you want to restore the mirror shine. You could also buff it to smooth out the rough spots or even give the spine some stropping on a chrome ox pasted nylon to buff it smooth. If it is damasks, then you dot have any other option as sanding/buffing that would remove the patterning.

There is a big difference between scratching a strop and scuffing a strop. Scratching involves penetrating the hide and leaving groove and ragged material where scuffing is just a discoloration of the leather. Scuffing is no big deal, no harm done. Scratching will ruin a strop.