1. home
  2. preface
  3. razor parts
  4. blade points
  5. razor identification
  6. the edge
  7. grinds
  8. grinds, why
  9. sharpening introduction
  10. stones
  11. strops
  12. using stones, introduction
  13. blade - stone geometry
  14. first stroke on stone
  15. last stroke on stone
  16. using the strop, introduction
  17. first stroke on strop
  18. last stroke on strop
  19. preparation for shave
  20. numbered shaving paths
  21. face, right side
  22. face, left side
  23. chin
  24. coup de maitre
  25. throat
  26. second over
  27. preface to archives
  28. La pogonotomia I
  29. La pogonotomia II
  30. La pogonotomia III
  31. La pogonotomia IV
  32. the razor I
  33. the razor II
  34. the razor III
  35. the razor IV
  36. the razor V
  37. the razor VI
  38. references
  39. summary
  40. guestbook

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Stropping, introduction

stropsch.jpg
Stropping occurs at exact the same angle as honing. Stropping serves to polish the edge and to align the edge microserrations. After weeks to months, stropping will not give perfect results any more. This is the moment for a few strokes on the hone. Stropping should be done before shaving, as was explained earlier.

The hangings strop must be kept under tension. If it sags, the effective stropping angle increases, and the edge will blunt.

The technique is in the opposite direction than honing: always back leading, in order not to cut the strop. The razor must be kept flat on the leather, the pressure must be a little firm. Hold the razor with the thumb on top of the shank, and roll between the fingers without moving the wrist. The stropping route is indicated in the scheme on the right. In the scheme, the razor just finishes the first stroke from the left to the right.

When the razor is freshly honed, it should be finished on the leather only. After that, use the canvas first, then the leather, each time a razor is stropped.