Thread: Stropping the razor on the branding on the leather?

Ok, so I've gotten a few shaves in, as a newb i think Ive potentially dulled my razor (it pulls pretty bad on the chin, every else it seems ok?) but i have a question specifically about stropping, and a specific strop. In my possession i have the Illinois 206, and for any of you have seen one (all of you I'm assuming :P), the strop has the branding at the top of the strop (one with the Bull, and telling it was made in the U.S.A.)
This branding puts a small indent into the strop, and i guess I'm mildly concerned about running the razor over it? Am i not supposed to strop the razor over that part? Is that going to dull the razor? Or am i just over thinking it and its really not that big of a deal?
Regardless i hop the explanation of my question is clear enough.
Thanks!

I go up to the brand on a strop but not on it. I don't know that it would hurt to go over it but better safe than sorry. The chin is the bugbear of most straight razor shavers. Take your thumb and forefinger of your stretching hand, form a Y, and hold on either side of the chin. Push toward your ears and with a flattened angle do buffing strokes on the knob of the chin. Tightening up the skin helps to cut those pesky whiskers.

Thanks Jimmy! I actually just watched a few more tutorials, and decided to screw it and strop over it anyways... I'm going to go shave right now, but strictly speaking from the hanging hair test, I have had the best results so far!
And thanks for the chin tip, ive tried a couple different things for my chin, but ive never thought of that! im going to go try it out right now ill let you know how it goes!.

I been at this awhile and considering a goat. On the other hand if I keep going like I am I will have some flat spots on my chin making it easier to shave instead of slicing. Seriously, the chin is the final frontier for me. I spend as much time on that part as the rest of my face.

I would stay off the stamp too. The stamp is a warning track. Your getting to near metal.

Originally Posted by 10Pups

I would stay off the stamp too. The stamp is a warning track. Your getting to near metal.

Is that specifically just for "safety" reasons rather than actually keeping the razor? I guess what is most annoying to me, is that if i stay off the stamp/branding, i become limited to an 8" strop...
Just got back from meh shave! pretty sure my razor needs to be re-finished. Good news is i got some Chromium oxide paste and a 12k naniwa on the way!

I use about 10 to 12 inches of strop on each stroke and that's about it. No need to go up to the brand. I use most all of the strop, just not all at the same time. Only 10 to 12 inches at one time. I have seen guys use the whole length of the strop at meet-ups and I think that damages the edge. Short, deliberate strokes are safer in my opinion. Mount your strop at elbow level so the blade is easier to control on the strop. Just my considered opinion.

I would stay away from the brand. A strop is supposed to be smooth and clean. Stropping over the brand is like stropping over shallow nicks and sometimes from the branding process the leather there can be much harder.

I find stropping over the brand doesn't feel right to me.

Well i think i shall now avoid stropping over the brand. Should have bought a longer strop...

Originally Posted by Xyphota

Well i think i shall now avoid stropping over the brand. Should have bought a longer strop...

_

10 to 12 inch stropping strokes is quite sufficient. No need to get carried away with long strokes on a long strop.

Originally Posted by Xyphota

Is that specifically just for "safety" reasons rather than actually keeping the razor? I guess what is most annoying to me, is that if i stay off the stamp/branding, i become limited to an 8" strop...
Just got back from meh shave! pretty sure my razor needs to be re-finished. Good news is i got some Chromium oxide paste and a 12k naniwa on the way!

Not just for safety of the blade but same reason Big S said. I have 2 nicks in my horse hide and if I take too long of a lap I run over them. I give myself a 3 lap penalty for that and add them to the count. Use what you got and next time you'll know more about what you want. If your razor it not too bad you should be able to strop it back in shape. What's the harm in trying? May teach you something before you have to start learning paste and hone. :<0)