Thread: Pressure Tips

Hi All,

Beginner here, always looking for tips. My question:

How much, if at all do you apply downward pressure onto the actual edge of the razor while stropping?

No pressure, and it's hard to even keep the edge of the razor flat and in contact with the strop evenly. This also doesn't make the sound of the razor being drawn across the strop.

Too much and I fear that I am dulling the blade, despite getting that beautiful sound and keeping the blade continuously on the strop.

I bet the answer is "medium" but any tips on how to do so - AND how to know you're doing it right would be much appreciated.

I try to use as little pressure as possible. The weight of the blade only would be ideal.

I've found that on a paddle strop, because it is flat, some pressure can be used because the geometry of the paddle strop doesn't change in use. I've even used considerable pressure with good results.

The feel for how much or little pressure to apply when stropping is kind of hard to describe. What helps me is to just focus on keeping the razor in contact with the strop without pressing down. While the razor is moving along the strop I imagine the edge "pivoting" just a little into the strop's surface. It's a relaxed, easy motion with perhaps a little more than the weight of the blade on the strop - but only just a little.

It's safer to err on the side of too light of a pressure on the strop than too heavy. If the weight of the razor doesn't give you the results you want, add just a shade more. In that way you can "sneak up" on the amount of pressure needed to get the smoothness you want out of your razor's edge.

Hope this helps,

Jeff

Use as little pressure as possible, but do use enough that you are actually stropping. The weight of the blade alone may be entirely ineffective. Fresh off the hone, the edge is very delicate. After a while it's not a problem. I think uneven pressure is much more detrimental than being afraid of pressure by itself. I can stand on the razor while stropping and not mess up the edge too much.

If the razor is well honed, only the slightest pressure alone should work. If you can wave the blade above the strop and you get the same exact sensation as when you strop you are NOT doing it correctly.

Also, keep in mind that it is sooooo much easier to torque the edge into the strop on the away stroke than it is on the return stroke.

I never apply pressure directly to the edge. But I do apply pressure directly to the back (spine) of the razor while stropping. This of course should increase pressure at the edge when the razor is held flat against the strop, but not the same as if intentionally applying the pressure directly to the edge. Using the back of the razor as a focus point, I think you have greater control when stropping.

I submitted a post once titled "Honing the Back" discussing this.

Honing the Back

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Use as little pressure as possible, but do use enough that you are actually stropping.

It took me ages to understand that. The rest of the post is a big +1 too.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Honing the Back

Perfect read,I do not even think about the edge when stropping,just the spine, as the edge will follow.

Let me put it to you this way. I use so little pressure, when I use one of my strops that exhibit draw the first stroke, the razor is literally pulled out of my hand.