Help Stropping!

[wess76]

I just received my first straight razor today from Tony Miller along with a hanging and two sided strop. I will say I am very pleased with my first shave tonight. I do have one question though. When stropping is it necessary to form an x with the stropping motion up and down the strop or can I just move the razor in a straight line back and forth. Thanks in advance------Wess

[AandW]

When stropping is it necessary to form an x with the stropping motion up and down the strop or can I just move the razor in a straight line back and forth. Thanks in advance------Wess

Depends. How wide is your strop? If you bought Tony's 3" wide strop, then no, it is not necessary. I have Tony's 3" wide strop and I just go back and forth with no X-pattern.

The paddle strop is probably not wide enough to encompass the whole razor. Therefore, an x-pattern will be necessary.

[rtaylor61]

Wess,

If your strop is the same width as the blade, you can strop back and forth. All of my strops are more narrow, requiring the X pattern.

Randy

[BOGARTUS]

I have done it both ways, the xing I believe knocks down the microscopic ridges caused by honeing. One thing I know for sure is all the stropping in the world is no substitute for first achieving the good edge.



experiment and repent

[EL Alamein]

Wess,

I agree with the other advice here that if the strop is wide enough to accomodate the length of the blade then you need not use the X pattern.

One thing I might add though is it is good form to strop with the point of the razor leading in both directions. It helps to realign the teeth properly. You can see this in the Greg Ives video as well. Hope that helps.

Chris

[AFDavis11]

I cheat a little myself. I go up and down then move the razor on a slight x and continue up and down. So I do the tip then the heel.