Thoughts on the Linen Side of the Strop?

inspiringK · Jun 23, 2012

I don't know that it does anything for the razor, but I use the linen side of the strop before moving over to the leather anyway. As I am still new to straight razor shaving, I just assume that the linen side is there for a reason. Do you use it?

Mine isn't pasted right now, I do have some Crox, but haven't decided if I want to paste it on the strop just yet.

Wid · Jun 23, 2012

Genuine linen is said to have a small amount of abrasiveness to it, it's not recommended to use paste on real linen. I know it improves a coticule edge, that's for sure.

ouch · Jun 23, 2012

I use cotten/linen before leather every single time.

Seraphim · Jun 23, 2012

Dovo white paste makes the cloth component function as it should.

Get some.

Use it.

Tony Miller · Jun 23, 2012

Wid said:
Genuine linen is said to have a small amount of abrasiveness to it, it's not recommended to use paste on real linen. I know it improves a coticule edge, that's for sure.

Using an abrasive paste on linen will certainly not hurt anything but since it already seems to have abrasive qualities it would be a bit of overkill to apply another abrasive over it. Whatever paste was applied would then be doing all the work so why pay more or search out the real thing just to cover it up. If I was going to use pastes I would just select one of the many cotton or poly materials in use or use another leather strop for pastes.

Tony

Frenchlaw · Jun 23, 2012

I bought a hand-made strop from the mountains of Colorado when I got my razor, and the "linen" seems to be a thick nylon or polyester (needs to be melted and sniffed for a Rocky Mountain high). I'm a bit reticent to use it. What will it do to my blade? Should I be using it? Is it abrasive or slippery? Should I put paste on it?

Seraphim · Jun 23, 2012

From a vintage barber manual:

Canvas Strop

The Canvas or Linen Strop is generally used before final stropping on the leather strop. It's purpose is to provide a very honing to the razor's edge, replacing most of the keenness which was lost in it's last use. While it has proven effective for this purpose, it will not sharpen a dull.razor but will extend the period between honings.
.
This strop is composed of high quality linen or silk woven into a fine or coarse texture.

A fine-textured linen strop is most desirable for putting a lasting edge on a razor. To obtain the best results, a new canvas strop should be thoroughly broken in. A daily hand finish will keep its surface smooth and ready for stropping..For a hand finish, the canvas strop is given the following treatment:
Attach the swivel end of the strop to a fixed point, such as a nail.
Lay the strop flat on a smooth and level surface and hold the unsecured end firmly.
Rub a bar of dry soap over the strop, working it well into the grain of the canvas.
Rub a smooth glass bottle over strop several times, each time forcing the soap into the grain and also removing excess soap.
Many modern Linen strops.often come from the manufacturer pre-treated with a very fine chalk-based abrasive. These strops are generally quite stiff when new and do.not require any break-in.though their performance does improve with use. Over time the chalk abrasive may be worn away. It can be replaced with Linen Strop Paste, which is itself chalk-based and usually is either white or gray in color.

linguist · Jun 23, 2012

i use 100% cotton strop made from a belt. it exactly improves the edge before the leather but it is very noisy

tomjr · Jun 23, 2012

i have 2 vintage canvas hose type strops 1 is almost like new the other is well worn they both work well. i use them as is with satisfying results. i have a cotton strop that i pasted years ago that see's limited use only. the other cotton strop is homemade and it also works well but my favorite is the well worn canvas hose, i think that it has always been someone's favorite, for a long time judging by its heavily worn state.

Doc226 · Jun 24, 2012

Lately it has been untouched suede before leather

drathgeb · Jun 24, 2012

I just got my first strop with linen. Ill use it the way expected but Am curious to see results. The way I figure is someone who knows much more than me set it up that way then why not. I am very unexperienced but I will hopefully deliver the sharpest edge to my abilities. As long as it doesnt hurt ill try it.

grump · Jun 24, 2012

Every time before leather.

Seraphim · Jun 24, 2012

Doc226 said:
Lately it has been untouched suede before leather

You've touched that suede plenty, who are you trying to kid? I even have video proof of you pawing at it.

O.G. · Jun 24, 2012

I use the linen side before and after a shave. First time to prep the edge. The second time to ensure that the edge is dry.

Slash McCoy · Jun 24, 2012

I don't use anything for regular pre-shave stropping except leather. My daily strop is a Star Shaving Big Daddy and I normally just ignore the felt side. Post-shave, I give it a dozen laps on pasted balsa and that keeps it sharp seems like forever.

Leon · Jun 24, 2012

I use alway a linen strop handmade by Mr. Tony Miller

Doc226 · Jun 24, 2012

Seraphim said:
You've touched that suede plenty, who are you trying to kid? I even have video proof of you pawing at it.

Oh yea, it's been touched. I really meant uncontaminated suede.

Alum of Potash · Jun 24, 2012

Slash McCoy said:
I don't use anything for regular pre-shave stropping except leather. My daily strop is a Star Shaving Big Daddy and I normally just ignore the felt side. Post-shave, I give it a dozen laps on pasted balsa and that keeps it sharp seems like forever.

What steps do you take to dry the razor prior to laying it on balsa?

cb91710 · Jun 24, 2012

My primary strop is an Illinois 127 with the 2nd component pasted with 0.5um CrOX.
I have a Mountain Mike's 3" that I take when traveling so I don't have to worry about the paste staining items in my bags.

One of these days, I'm going to log into Tony's site and he will be accepting orders on the same day that I have the funds to pick up one of his strops.
Last February after I got my tax refund, I'd check every day, but when he opened up for orders, he was always sold out by the time I got home from work (time difference on the west coast).

Maybe I'll just have to drive to his shop and then he'll feel too bad to refuse to sell me one :biggrin:

Slash McCoy · Jun 24, 2012

Alum of Potash said:
What steps do you take to dry the razor prior to laying it on balsa?

I simply dry it on a towel. I lightly pinch the towel over the razor and draw it through a couple of times. The balsa does the rest.

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Thoughts on the Linen Side of the Strop?

Do you typically use the linen or similar material side of the strop?

No, I mostly just go straight to leather.

I use unpasted linen before leather.

I use linen before leather, but the linen is pasted.

It varies a lot for me.

Personally, I haven't really figured it out yet.

inspiringK

Wid

ouch

Stjynnkii membörd dummpsjterd

Seraphim

Tony Miller

Speaking of horse butts…

Frenchlaw

Seraphim

linguist

tomjr

Doc226

drathgeb

grump

Seraphim

O.G.

Slash McCoy

I freehand dog rockets

Leon

Doc226

Alum of Potash

cb91710

Slash McCoy

I freehand dog rockets

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