So...I got linen

**bbarton713** · 05-03-2012, 10:56 AM

Where does linen fit into the stropping routine? Do you always do it before/after you use the razor or is it something that is done once-in-a-while?

**Kentos** · 05-03-2012, 11:00 AM

For western razors I do 30-40 before every shave.

**Obiwan** · 05-03-2012, 11:00 AM

As for me, I use my linen prior to leather each use (~30). Sometimes a little more if I just honed the razor.

**superbleu** · 05-03-2012, 11:03 AM

20 laps before leather, but honestly, I have been very lazy and have been using horsehide only with no linen component.

**Skrymr** · 05-03-2012, 12:09 PM

I do 30-40 laps before leather prior to shaving. I have a second linen component for cleaning the blade after my shave, another 20-30 laps.

**strop** · 05-03-2012, 12:56 PM

Hopefully Bob won't mind if I sorta hijack this thread with a followup question. Is there a difference between real linen, cotton, or polyester material. I have all 3, but not enough experience yet to tell much difference.

**bbarton713** · 05-03-2012, 01:02 PM

I hope real linen is the best of all because that's what I got when I purchased my TM strop!

**superbleu** · 05-03-2012, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by strop

Hopefully Bob won't mind if I sorta hijack this thread with a followup question. Is there a difference between real linen, cotton, or polyester material. I have all 3, but not enough experience yet to tell much difference.

cotton and linen seem to be pretty similar and work well. Linen is a little more coarse than cotton so it works a little better.

Poly is too slick and doesn't have much draw to it, so I don't feel like it does a whole lot by itself. I use poly for diamond or magic dust sprays.

**Kentos** · 05-03-2012, 02:57 PM

My opinion is natural linen does seem to have just enough abrasiveness to help maintain the keeness of an edge. I also found you need to have some speed in your stroke as well as a little pressure. Slow light pressure didn't seem to do much.

**strop** · 05-03-2012, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by superbleu

cotton and linen seem to be pretty similar and work well. Linen is a little more coarse than cotton so it works a little better.

Poly is too slick and doesn't have much draw to it, so I don't feel like it does a whole lot by itself. I use poly for diamond or magic dust sprays.

Do you use the poly hanging or flat? What grit on the diamond spary? For daily use or just occasional?

**DogHair** · 05-08-2012, 07:41 PM

The linen vs cotton discussion has been pretty will worked over. My interpretation of the results are, it's a personal preference. I prefer linen an do 30-40 laps every day before hitting the leather.