<![CDATA[Badger & Blade - Strops]]> http://badgerandblade.com/vb/ en Sat, 18 May 2013 09:09:34 GMT vBulletin 60 http://badgerandblade.com/vb/images/styles/RoyalFlush/misc/rss.png <![CDATA[Badger & Blade - Strops]]> http://badgerandblade.com/vb/ Strops: draw, technique? http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/346329-Strops-draw-technique?goto=newpost Wed, 15 May 2013 05:22:42 GMT I would like to improve my stropping so have a few questions. I was wondering how much the draw affects the way a person strops and how much is necessary in a strop. How would a person change the draw in a strop? I am using full hollow and half hollow razors at the moment. Interested in any tips... I would like to improve my stropping so have a few questions. I was wondering how much the draw affects the way a person strops and how much is necessary in a strop. How would a person change the draw in a strop? I am using full hollow and half hollow razors at the moment.

Interested in any tips that would help improve stropping.

Thanks ]]> Strops binder http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/346329-Strops-draw-technique Bad stropping? http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/346197-Bad-stropping?goto=newpost Tue, 14 May 2013 13:26:43 GMT I've had the Big Daddy strop for a little while now. I had trouble getting used to the larger size (3 inches) compared to the 2inch strop from Whipped Dog. Now I'm pretty sure I got the hang of it after a while, and its actually quite nice. I hung the strop on the hanger bar in the closet, so I go up and down when I strop.

I have been suspecting for a little while however, that the strop may not be working as it should. It even led me to leave it aside for the last 4-5 shaves and go back to the Whipped Dog strop.

Yesterday when I tried honing on the Zulu, I was getting some ok HHT after just 5-6 laps on the whipped dog strop. I thought OK, I'll go over to the Big Daddy, did 60 on felt, 60 on leather, came back, no more HHT!!

So, it would seem there is definitely something wrong with my stropping on the big daddy (I now realize this must have been part of the problem on some of my previous honings).

I'm trying to figure out where to hang it so it is lower, hopefully that will help. Anyone has similar experiences? ]]> Strops pmaster http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/346197-Bad-stropping Mixing chromium oxide powder? http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/345972-Mixing-chromium-oxide-powder?goto=newpost Sun, 12 May 2013 20:09:31 GMT I'm looking to get some chromium oxide to spread on some hessian webbing I've got. I don't want to spend lots of money and I've found little 10g/19g bags of the stuff as a powder. I know there are pastes but they cost so much more and I'd rather mix myself if it can be cheaper.

Question is, what do I mix the powder with and how much? I've seen oil and water as the main liquids to use. Can I just use water and will that work well? What are the proportions that one needs to use? ]]> Strops FaPat5 http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/345972-Mixing-chromium-oxide-powder Question about CrOx .5 micron spray on mesh/webbing strop http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/345868-Question-about-CrOx-5-micron-spray-on-mesh-webbing-strop?goto=newpost Sun, 12 May 2013 00:55:54 GMT I've got this strop from SRD with the "matched webbing" and was wondering if I could use a CrOx spray (also from SRD) on one side of it.

I recently got a new blade and found that it isn't giving me as close as a shave as it did the first time I shaved with it, but figured it was just because it was a factory edge. I plan on getting that one professionally honed sometime. So I tried shaving with my other razor and fond that that one also isn't giving me as close as a shave as it had in the past.

So I recently ordered a 12,000 grit naniwa super stone and I plan to use it on my razors once a month and I want to use the webbing treated with the CrOx .5 micron spray once a week. ]]> Strops sipherintheskies http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/345868-Question-about-CrOx-5-micron-spray-on-mesh-webbing-strop <![CDATA[Leather strop treatment with ForceField Leather Cleaner & Conditioner?]]> http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/345575-Leather-strop-treatment-with-ForceField-Leather-Cleaner-amp-Conditioner?goto=newpost Thu, 09 May 2013 21:38:52 GMT Link to product in question.

So I found two 4-oz bottles of this stuff tucked away and forgotten for what I believe must be around 10 years. It's unopened and still has the tin seal intact. There isn't a list of ingredients on the bottle though nor is there an expiration date.

Front of the bottle reads:

Forcefield Leather Cleaner & Conditioner

Cleans, Conditions & protects fine leather and furniture.

Side of bottle reads:

  • Furniture
  • Clothing
  • Auto
  • Accessories


Back of bottle reads:

A technically advanced formula that cleans, conditions, and protects finished leathers. Make with the finest oils. Regular use keeps your leather looking and feeling its best. Skipped directions. Recommended for use on all natural-finished leather products. Not recommended for suede or nubuck.

And I got my strop from SRD. Link for those interested.

Should I just get Neatsfoot oil to be on the safe side or is this good enough? ]]> Strops sipherintheskies http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/345575-Leather-strop-treatment-with-ForceField-Leather-Cleaner-amp-Conditioner Do you lap your balsa strop periodically? http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/344808-Do-you-lap-your-balsa-strop-periodically?goto=newpost Fri, 03 May 2013 23:50:46 GMT You should! I have a couple I have used for about three years and never gave them much thought. I just got some .1u diamond paste so I bought new balsa, and sandpaper to flatten and smooth it up to my standards. Just thinking I ought to also sand down past the dents and dings in my old balsa... You should!

I have a couple I have used for about three years and never gave them much thought. I just got some .1u diamond paste so I bought new balsa, and sandpaper to flatten and smooth it up to my standards. Just thinking I ought to also sand down past the dents and dings in my old balsa strops, I started on them and noticed from the sanding wear pattern that my old balsas were warped, bowed, dished, twisted, adn just mashed up in general. From now on I will lap my balsa flat once a year. Yeah I know I know... it wastes diamond paste, but I want a nice flat balsa for my post-shave edge maintenance stropping.

BTW, the .1u barely makes a difference, but it does make SOME difference. I might try it on some "femto-cloth". (old cotton t-shirt) stretched over wood. ]]> Strops Slash McCoy http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/344808-Do-you-lap-your-balsa-strop-periodically How many nicks is too many? http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/344807-How-many-nicks-is-too-many?goto=newpost Fri, 03 May 2013 23:47:45 GMT Hello all, I am very new to straight razor shaving. I have been using a safety razor for about 5 mo, but have only shaved with a straight about 5 times so far (last two weeks). I am using a restored Morley and sons clover razor, and bought a nice strop that has two flaps one is leather and the... Hello all,

I am very new to straight razor shaving. I have been using a safety razor for about 5 mo, but have only shaved with a straight about 5 times so far (last two weeks). I am using a restored Morley and sons clover razor, and bought a nice strop that has two flaps one is leather and the other is nylon I think. It is from the premier strop company. I have apparently been careless in my stropping technique and have nicked the strop a bunch of times. Very small ones, but nicks nonetheless. I hope I can still use it? What am I doing wrong besides going too fast? I am turning it over on the spine now too, but I still seem to nick it every once in a while.

The nylon side is not nicked. Is that because it is made out of tougher material?


I am bummed. Please advise! ]]> Strops Boshuda http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/344807-How-many-nicks-is-too-many Best way to revive vintage strop? http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/344454-Best-way-to-revive-vintage-strop?goto=newpost Wed, 01 May 2013 14:22:36 GMT As the title says gents, I picked up an old strop for pocket change today it is old and manky and a few shallow gouge lines in it, but apart from that it looks pretty decent.

it is embossed as an 'Aonian No. A289' Genuine Shell Horse.

I have an extremely old and pretty crappy straight that I stropped on it, and it has put some bite back into the blade, and it has done a better job than my newer strop, possibly because the leather is a lot more rigid on this old strop?

any suggestions on how to clean and prepare it for use?

many thanks in advance,

Doofry ]]> Strops Doofry http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/344454-Best-way-to-revive-vintage-strop <![CDATA[2" Stop Antique store find (Pics included)]]> http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/344204-2-quot-Stop-Antique-store-find-(Pics-included)?goto=newpost Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:57:49 GMT I was at a local atntique store this weekend and purchased this strop for $20. It is 2" wide and 18" long with the srop folded in half. Unfolded it measures a total of 36" with both sides of the leather being finished as seen in the pics. It has no branding/markings.


when I got it, it was dirty (originally thought to be black) and Rigid. Applied some Lexol and now It is soft and pliable with the original colors showing.

Was this a decent pick up, or should I have left it for another individual?



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]]> Strops Jackie_Bowles http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/344204-2-quot-Stop-Antique-store-find-(Pics-included) TI thinks stropping is not always necessary? http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/344124-TI-thinks-stropping-is-not-always-necessary?goto=newpost Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:30:51 GMT I just looked through the documentation for my 11/16 TI and it says "8. Only strop the new razor after several shaves".

Now, I hasten to add, all the TI's I have ever owned (from their UK distributor) have been shave-ready out of the box, so that is not a problem for me, BUT I was always told to strop before and after each shave. In fact, shaves are sometimes rough if I don't strop enough (though this TI is sharper than anything I have and I have not shaved with it yet).

Does this mean we are all wrong and can just leave razors without stropping them?? Is all we are taught here a lie??? Or is TI just not writing good instructions..... :confused1

Obviously, I think we should strop all the time, but I might try this TI by following the instructions lol. ]]> Strops FaPat5 http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/344124-TI-thinks-stropping-is-not-always-necessary Any way to stop strop twisting? http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/343582-Any-way-to-stop-strop-twisting?goto=newpost Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:48:01 GMT I've got a dovo extra-wide strop, which actually does a good job of stropping, except that it twists a lot unless its held just right. It starts twisting towards the top and usually I need to somehow tightly twist the leather band that attaches the strop to the door handle, in order to counter-twist the strop.All in all it's getting a bit irritating. I can't justify buying a new strop (due to swmbo) so I need to find a way to "fix" this one. Any suggestions? ]]> Strops FaPat5 http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/343582-Any-way-to-stop-strop-twisting Explain your stropping technique to me! Please! http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/343273-Explain-your-stropping-technique-to-me!-Please!?goto=newpost Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:20:40 GMT ok, help me out guys...I understand (or at least I think i do) the theory behind how stropping straightens out the blade. With that, my understanding is that you want the leather strop to be as taught/straight as possible. However all the videos I keep watching seem to have some slack in the strop... ok, help me out guys...I understand (or at least I think i do) the theory behind how stropping straightens out the blade. With that, my understanding is that you want the leather strop to be as taught/straight as possible. However all the videos I keep watching seem to have some slack in the strop when guys are using it (especially when they are going fast). Wouldn't any amount of deflection in the strop bend the edge to some degree?? Wouldn't that not properly straighten the edge? I'm racking my brain with this because I cannot get my edge to cut hanging hairs or arm hair...now I'm sending my blade out to Obiwan to take a look at it for me but I want to know if my stropping is the problem. I find my arm getting tired from keeping tension on the strop....am i over-thinking this??:cursing: Just need some insight. Thank you in advance! ]]> Strops Collk88 http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/343273-Explain-your-stropping-technique-to-me!-Please! TM strop question http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/343188-TM-strop-question?goto=newpost Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:25:02 GMT Does/Has TM make/made a cordovan strop? I love the feel of my Kanayama's, but am impressed with Tony's level of craftsmanship. Is there anything similar? I had a Notovan at one point, wasn't my taste. Any other suggestions from TM? ]]> Strops GreekGuy http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/343188-TM-strop-question Am I the Lone Ranger in this style of stropping? http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/343182-Am-I-the-Lone-Ranger-in-this-style-of-stropping?goto=newpost Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:08:14 GMT I have been using a straight for a year and a half now and enjoy using exclusively vintage hanging strops. The way that works best for me is to have it anchored to the middle hinge pin on the door. Then step away from the door with the strop held chest high. I face the hinge square on and have... I have been using a straight for a year and a half now and enjoy using exclusively vintage hanging strops. The way that works best for me is to have it anchored to the middle hinge pin on the door. Then step away from the door with the strop held chest high. I face the hinge square on and have the strop pulled tight toward me. Then the actual stropping is away from me and back to me. Any other stance just doesn't feel right.

Am I all alone in this? ]]> Strops Captain Pre-Capsize http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/343182-Am-I-the-Lone-Ranger-in-this-style-of-stropping From HHT3 to HHT5 http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/342979-From-HHT3-to-HHT5?goto=newpost Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:01:52 GMT Do you think is possible to go from HHT3 to HHT5 with just a balsa strop cover in crox and them some leather stroping? Do you think is possible to go from HHT3 to HHT5 with just a balsa strop cover in crox and them some leather stroping? ]]> Strops jccalabria http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/342979-From-HHT3-to-HHT5