Thread: Stropping after the stones.

Recently, since I've begun honing more for other members I have noticed something odd and wanted to know if anyone else has noticed this:

Stropping on leather only after a finishing stone such as an Escher has been leaving a nicer edge after honing then say linen and then leather.

I've noticed too that using little passes such as only 30 laps on leather after honing is all I need over say 60 laps.

Anyone else?

Yep, C12K then 30 laps on leather and I'm good to go.

I've experimented with that too. The 1961 barber manual excerpt specifies leather only after honing, linen and leather once you've shaved and are refreshing the edge. I have found, for me, that linen and leather always is best for my particular comfort. YMMV.

Oh, God. Where have you been? If you start telling everyone you only do 10 laps I'll sue you for plagerism!!

Yes, don't use linen after honing.

Originally Posted by Disburden

Recently, since I've begun honing more for other members I have noticed something odd and wanted to know if anyone else has noticed this:

Stropping on leather only after a finishing stone such as an Escher has been leaving a nicer edge after honing then say linen and then leather.

I've noticed too that using little passes such as only 30 laps on leather after honing is all I need over say 60 laps.

Anyone else?

After final finish stone, I usually go 12 to 24 passes on Kelly's hemp strop then 24 passes on Neal Millers buffalo strop. I might go on to Kanayama 70K but it has very little draw so it is just for primo blade tune ups. i.e. Jaguar, Iwasaki, Diamond Hayashi's, Fili etc.

I guess it depends on the blade. I always strop 12 to 24 passes on KC cushion strop during the entire hone process to help remove any slurry or swarf from previous stone.
Mike

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Oh, God. Where have you been? If you start telling everyone you only do 10 laps I'll sue you for plagerism!!

Yes, don't use linen after honing.

I may be working down to ten by the end of the week LOL.

Originally Posted by Disburden

I may be working down to ten by the end of the week LOL.

The 1961 barber manual recommends 16 1/2

I actually have recently decided not to even strop after fresh honing. I find the edge much smoother. When I compared the edges under ~360X magnification, the edge off a fresh hone was much smoother than when I did the stropping...especially if its linen stropping followed by leather. The linen just seems to destroy the smoothness of the edge. When I do leather stropping after honing, I only use 5-10 laps, no more...with extremely light touch.

In terms of the shave, the edge feeling was basically the same whether I stropped on leather ONLY after honing or no stropping at all. They both felt smooth.

But, that's just been my experience.

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

I actually have recently decided not to even strop after fresh honing.

The 1961 barber manual says ..... Oh never mind

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

The 1961 barber manual says ..... Oh never mind

That's too funny Jimmy. I knew you were going to chime in and quote the 1961 barber's manual as soon as I posted m thoughts