Thread: Question on draw preference

Gentlemen-
I started my straight shaving adventure in July with a shavette and switched to the real thing a few months ago. I bought a razor/strop combo from SRD, choosing the 3" "The Natural" strop with the premium fabric. When I strop on the fabric, my technique seems good, the motion feels comfortable, and the razor appears to maintain the proper orientation to the strop throughout the stroke. When I strop on the leather, the experience is the opposite. Most noticably, I feel like I am "fighting the draw" of the strop while my razor skews to an angle to the strop and looses the proper contact and orientation. Does this mean I prefer less draw from my strop, or do I just need to keep working?

Thanks a lot

I'm not sure. Your not using too much pressure, are you? It's a delicate balance, too much is no good, and too little is no good. Is the blade clean and dry, free of any substance that might inhibit stropping on leather? While strops like Latigo have more draw, it's not so much that you can't strop properly. I read the description of the natural on SRD's website. It does list it as Medium to Heavy draw. Try rubbing the leather once or twice a day with your unwashed hand. The oils in your hand will help break it in. Do not treat it with anything. Neetsfoot oil and the like will only increase the draw. I think once it's broken in, and your technique improves, you'll be good to go.

In the mean time, if you can, Most horsehide strops have 0 draw. You may look into that. You can also pick up leather at Tandy. They have an online shop as well. I've used the leather strips they sell for belts to make paddle strops. The only problem is, you have to buy a 50ft length online. Most local stores, if you have one nearby, will let you look through their scrap bin, and normally just give you a strip ime.
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/e.../4523-190.aspx

I have the natural as well as the red latigo from SRD. I'm actually surprised that it's listed as medium to heavy draw as when I recieved mine it seemed to have very little..in fact after using it awhile I gave it the old lather treatment to increase the draw and couldn't be happier with it now You may want to try a different strop if the draw is really an issue for you..as already suggested possibly a horsehide. Good luck

It means you need to apply enough pressure to keep the razor on the strop. I have some strops that exhibit much draw and I have to use some pressure to work them properly. I'm not saying to apply a lot of pressure but just enough. Some of my strops exhibit no draw at all and the blade just glides down them so you just have to adjust your technique there.

Where you put your thumb can make a huge difference with this too. Try different thumb positions on the shank and see where is best for you. Me, things seem to work best if my thumb sits on the top corner of the shank.

Good luck!

James.