Thread: Strop tension too much?

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I think it's possible to be too taut. The signs of this are a razor that hops when going down the strop. If the razor feels like it's bumping along instead of smoothly gliding along you might have the strop too taut. If you grab the strop end with confidence, but only use two fingers, index and thumb, you'll probably improve the strops ability to deflect. The deflection allows the strop to absorb motion better. If the strop remains relatively flat, yet still has some give in it to absorb mistakes, you'll strop better.

To find the correct amount of pressure to use, use the least amount of pressure that creates draw.

The most difficult thing for me to teach is stropping and one of the challenging factors is that the pressure of both hands is related to each other. Think of the pressure needed to hold the strop taut as related to the pressure you apply with the razor. Think of the strop as a simple machine, like the fulcrum or the screw. Extend the strop so that it is flat, but can absorb energy if applied by accident. Then strop lightly with you controlling the razor's flat motion. You should, for example, be able to move the razor back and forth without the strop in place. As the razor moves it should feel like the flattened strop is catching/abrading/rubbing on the razor. If you wave your hand in the air it's like using too little pressure or a strop that has too hard of a surface. If you rub your hand back and forth over a rug you'll feel a huge difference, like a "pulling" sensation. That is your goal.

Hi AFDavis11

I have watched your stropping video a few times now, very well done btw
One thing I have done is try to maintain very light pressure on the razor during stropping
I haven't noticed any skipping while I strop, maybe pressure is too light for good blade contact
It feels very slick compared to my poor mans strop and my roo hide paddle strop
My hanging strop was purchased from a member here, no makers name on it

I like your explanation of draw using the rug as a guide
One wonders what my wife will say when I stop in the middle of stropping and rub my hand on the rug
She may call the men in white lab coats to take me away

Many thanks for your input
Rick

Something that made a big difference to me was switching from stropping vertically to horizontally. - now I just hang my strop from the door knob and pull toward my hip. Makes me think how much easier a paddle strop would be. ... one day...

i prefer a hanging strop because it allows some give to it i dont like the feeling of using a board like strop. i also use a dresser draw to hang it on because its hip high and it keeps be for pullign the living daylights out of it i know if it starts to move the drawer then i need to back off on pulling just a bit.

Learning to strop well was the key factor in learning to get a good shave. Every time that I was getting ready to shave, I would practice a bit stropping with a butter knife to get the feel for the correct movement. When I felt ready, then I stropped the razor.
That helped me to "warm up" without risking dulling my razor. It also allowed me to experiment with different movements and strop heights without fear of making one wrong stroke that could send me back to my hones.

A quick update
Had a few shaves now using the paddle strop prior to shaving
Touched up 1 razor on my barber hone
Then on to the Roo Hide paddle strop for bout 80 strokes
Certainly popped arm hair easily

Test shave went well enough
Probably could have spent more time on the strop
I put it down as part of the learning experience

Thanks again for all the tips
Have a great week

Rick

I used to pull my hanging strops tight when I first started and I was rounding the edges of my razors and didn't realize it. I recommend some deflection as it always leads to a better shave for me. Some of the old timers on Youtube (Liam for example) use a big amount of deflection but they're pros and know how to control the spine and edge to stay even on the stropping surface.

Just using a barber's hone and a strop is a great way to find out how to keep your edge working nice. You may need to strop more after the barber's hone to smooth the edge out, I find that works well.


We really need more topics on stropping in the forums...more important than honing imo.

I personally get the best shaves from a really tight hanging strop.

Originally Posted by Disburden

We really need more topics on stropping in the forums...more important than honing imo.

I agree.

I've recently backed off just a bit on the tension on my strop and seem to getting much better results. I think, as someone else here said, that I get slightly more even contact with the edge with just a bit of deflection. I was so worried about turning the edge that I keep the stop really taught and focused on keeping the spine on the strop. Mine spines were getting great stropping action! Since relaxing my off hand and applying more of an X pattern to my strop stroke, my results are significantly better. Same holds true my touchups on my pasted strops.