Thread: Question on stropping.

Hi
I'm new to using a straight razor and have been having a problem getting an edge on my razor using the strop. I've watched stropping techniques on utube and they don't seem to explain the angle at which to hold the razor. Does the spine on the razor lie flat when stropping?
Thanks

found this one

found the info on previous post and answer
Thanks

When stropping the razor should remain flat for the entire stroke. Only use the weight of the razor as pressure. If you lift the spine at all during he motion, chances are you rolled your edge and its no longer shave ready....If in fact it was shave ready when you bought it. Bad stropping technique will dull a shave ready edge and it will need to be honed.

Great video demonstrating proper grip and technique here by AFDavis11. I'm moving your thread from 'Strops' to Stropping where it may get more replies.

Originally Posted by janivar123

found this one

That demonstrates stropping well, my only issue is that the edge should be lifted off the strop before the stroke ends.
In the gif, it seems like stroke>stop>flip.
It should be stroke>begin flip>stop>begin new stroke>lay edge on strop.

My 2 cents anyway.

Ill have to agree on that point
The flip should absolutely ststart before the stop and be completed after movement the other way has started

Originally Posted by todies

Hi
I'm new to using a straight razor and have been having a problem getting an edge on my razor using the strop. I've watched stropping techniques on utube and they don't seem to explain the angle at which to hold the razor. Does the spine on the razor lie flat when stropping?
Thanks

I have 2 questions :
#1) Was your razor honed by someone experienced at honing razors , before you started using it or have you tried to sharpen it using only the strop ?
#2) What angle have you been using when you strop ?

If you really want soemone to teach you a great style that will almost guarantee you that you wont nick your strops up, Contact mrsell63 he has a tequnique that is simple and is verry effective, he showed me, Tell him the deerhunter told you about him and im sure he will share his secrets.

Originally Posted by jpm7676

When stropping the razor should remain flat for the entire stroke. Only use the weight of the razor as pressure. If you lift the spine at all during he motion, chances are you rolled your edge and its no longer shave ready.

Not necessarily so. It is a good starting point, however lifting the spine slightly (or equivalently slightly "torquing" the edge into the strop) is sometimes useful. Similarly, a little more pressure than the weight of the razor can also be beneficial.