For me, newspaper works but leather doesn't?

**BrookR1** · 05-12-2012, 09:39 PM

I'm new to this and have tried stropping my blades with Larry's poor man strop kit without luck. Whenever I strop hanging leather, it dulls the blade (doesn't pass the HHT). But when I use paper wrapped around balsa, I'm able to pass the HHT. I'm not sure if it's the strop or if it's my technique. Should I look at a nicer hanging strop or should I look at a leather paddle strop, or stick with newspaper? Perhaps the strop I have just needs to be broken in more?

Thanks

**Legion** · 05-13-2012, 01:07 AM

I'm not sure, but it sounds like you just saved some money.

I'm betting it is the fact that your newspaper strop is flat. Stick with newspaper, or if you like, try a paddle strop. Just because a majority of us use hanging strops, it doesn't mean they are right for everyone. Paddle strops, or bench strops might just be best for you.

**Drybonz** · 05-13-2012, 01:28 AM

Originally Posted by BrookR1

I'm not sure if it's the strop or if it's my technique.

It's not going to be the strop dulling your razor, but people dulling their blades due to their stropping technique is pretty common.

Legion is probably right, and you are having more success with the paper because you are using it on a flat surface. This makes it less likely for someone who is inexperienced to "roll' the edge of the razor.

If it were me, I would just keep practicing with the hanging strop. You will get the hang of it. Just keep it mostly taut and keep the spine of the razor on the strop when you are changing directions. Not too much pressure. You don't want to surface of the strop to "roll" under the edge of the razor and rub against the edge.

**GreekGuy** · 05-13-2012, 01:45 AM

If you don't mind using newspaper, might as well use that. Don't have to worry about cutting it. It's free. If it gets wet on accident, you can just toss it. Don't need to add any dressing with time. Don't need a hook.

I prefer my hanging strops, but if it works for you then you certainly shouldn't change just to conform

**turtle** · 05-13-2012, 04:09 AM

try folding your newspaper over a towel bar and use it like you would your leather and see how that works out to get you used to using a hanging strop before trying leather

**brother cavefish** · 05-13-2012, 04:46 AM

it might be your prep before the strop, or too much pressure, poorman was my first, you need a cheap first for sure --your going to cut some edges, and i would not want to cut a more expensive one, my 2 cents

**Doc226** · 05-13-2012, 05:12 AM

Try your leather on the counter and see what happens.

**Slash McCoy** · 05-13-2012, 05:56 AM

Newspaper works pretty good. I fold mine up lengthwise so it is about 3" wide and drape it over a towel bar, then pinch the ends together and pull the doubled strop back firmly against the anchor of the towel bar. It is not as good as leather but it works decently enough in a pinch, and is a good stand-in for leather while you are learning to strop.

I suspect you are not pulling the hanging strop firmly enough. I doubt that there is anything fundamentally wrong with the leather. But try another strop, and try making the newspaper hanging strop, and try the leather strop stretched out over wood or the edge of a table or counter, and verify the nature of the problem. Meanwhile, while you are troubleshooting your hanging strop results, you still got newspaper on wood.

**john shea** · 05-13-2012, 06:12 AM

Try laying the strop on a counter, like the paper. Be sure that the leather has been wiped clean so it has a smooth draw with no gritty feeling.

**BrookR1** · 05-13-2012, 06:35 AM

Thanks for all of the advice. Luckily, I purchased a backup poor man's strop and will give it a go on a hard surface. I was in so cal last week and picked up a decent Walkin Horse strop. I couldn't help but notice that the walkin horse strop was a little rougher and little smoother than my poor man's strop.

This brings up another stupid question...on the poor man's strop I have been using the shiny (finished) side of the strop. Is this the correct side, or should I use the rougher/unfinished side?

**global_dev** · 05-13-2012, 07:45 AM

definitely the shiny side...

**BrookR1** · 05-13-2012, 08:23 AM

Tried it with the rough side this morning and was able to get a good strop. My razor passed the HHT. So, there must be something I'm doing weird, but it seems to be working for me. On the plus side, that gives me two more sides I can use...it's like getting two new strops for free.

**tlittle** · 05-13-2012, 08:32 AM

If it works, it works. I'd judge how well you're stropping by how well the shave goes though, and not the HHT at this point. As has been debated over and over here, the HHT only tells you something useful once you understand how your specific hair sample reacts to an edge. Just the fact that it cuts hair does not mean that the edge will give you the best shave possible.

Alright, I don't want this thread to turn into a HHT debate, so I'll end there. To get back to the stropping part of things, if you're getting good results using the rougher side of the leather, you should be able to get even better results off of the smooth side with practice. Keep trying, and eventually it all comes together.

**BrookR1** · 05-13-2012, 09:01 AM

Well, my shaves are still leaving me with cuts, but I attribute that to poor technique/inexperience. They are getting better, but I still need to finish with a DE. I've tried 3 times so far.

**ladykate** · 05-13-2012, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by BrookR1

Well, my shaves are still leaving me with cuts, but I attribute that to poor technique/inexperience. They are getting better, but I still need to finish with a DE. I've tried 3 times so far.

Three times is not a lot. Some estimate that you need to get about 100 shaves under your belt to be sure of your face mapping, develop your muscle memory and know your razor. I think that is somewhat high but you definitely need more than three shaves. My guess would be to give it a month of shaving to get where you can have a 'close enough' shave. Straight shaving isn't a quickly learned skill - takes time. But once you start, it is like drinking from a spittoon. You just can't stop.

edit: Oh... and it is perfectly acceptable to clean up with a DE or even shave first with the DE and then shave again with the straight. It is all a learning experience.

**brother cavefish** · 05-13-2012, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by tlittle

If it works, it works. I'd judge how well you're stropping by how well the shave goes though, and not the HHT at this point. As has been debated over and over here, the HHT only tells you something useful once you understand how your specific hair sample reacts to an edge. Just the fact that it cuts hair does not mean that the edge will give you the best shave possible.

Alright, I don't want this thread to turn into a HHT debate, so I'll end there. To get back to the stropping part of things, if you're getting good results using the rougher side of the leather, you should be able to get even better results off of the smooth side with practice. Keep trying, and eventually it all comes together.

I agree, the HHT does not alway weigh in, i have great shavers , dont pass the test