Thread: Why use a fabric side on a strop?

Hello all,

I am curious why some strops that I have been looking at offer a leather side and then from what I am gathering have fabric side as well, such as cotton.

Why have a fabric side?

Is it necessary?

What does the fabric offer that the leather does not?

I'm starting to look into stropping now, I have yet to do it.

Josh

There are a few ideas. I believe the one that suggests that the greater friction it creates warms the very fine edge & allows the leather to re-align it better.
It's also great after a shave to ensure the delicate edge is perfectly dry & no damage will occur due to dampness while it's waiting to be used again.

I have also read that the linen side has a slight abrasive quality to it which helps refine the edge a bit.

I understand it's also good for testing for an over honed edge. Do 10-20 laps after your done honing and check the edge with a scope if you have one.

If nothing else it adds one more step to your routine. And if I've learned anything around here it's that we love our shaving routines.

There are a lot of different opinions on this topic...

Originally Posted by TJoshX

Why have a fabric side?

It removes the microscopic corrosion that accumulates during the shave and while it's resting overnight (even if you oil it), and it also polishes and sharpens the edge.

Originally Posted by TJoshX

Is it necessary?

No. I believe that the latigo type leathers can also remove the corrosion, and the sharpening and polishing can be done with hones and pasted paddles. This seems to be the preferred approach, FWIW.

Originally Posted by TJoshX

What does the fabric offer that the leather does not?

The leather side does not seem to remove enough metal to usefully sharpen the razor. AFAICT it merely aligns the edge and in the case of latigo or the leather strops with the pressed-in pattern it likely pulls off the corrosion as well. Smooth leather does a better job of aligning the edge than either cloth or textured leather.

Looks like all the points have been hit....

Just some of my own personal thoughts to add...

If you look at a well used linen strop you will find some black and reddish streaking in the linen, that is corrosion, I would rather have it there then embedded in the leather...

I am not all that convinced that the linen actually "sharpens", I do however whole heartedly believe that 25/50 Linen/Leather before shaving does help to keep the edge at it's best, the longest...

I also know for a fact, that linen stropping after the hones will find a problem edge very quickly if there is any weakness to that edge you will find it by looking at the edge under magnification after the linen pretty easy...

Keep in mind that much of shavedom is personal preference, so try things a few ways, and stick with what works best for you....

I would add that IMHO that my homemade canvas strop performs better when I rubbed colgate white shave soap into it.

There was just a night and day difference when I added that little bit of change.

No idea why.

Originally Posted by singlewedge

I would add that IMHO that my homemade canvas strop performs better when I rubbed colgate white shave soap into it.

There was just a night and day difference when I added that little bit of change.

No idea why.

I've noticed this too with soap/beeswax/starch/etc (call it "stuff") , and I've got a couple of theories:

1) the "stuff" stiffens the fibers so they compress less.

2) the "stuff" cuts down on the spring in the fibers so they spring back up more slowly after the blade passes, reducing the rounding effect on the edge.

3) the "stuff" fills in the ribs in the surface of the cloth, reducing the bouncing and vibrating a bit.

4) the "stuff" is alkaline, and low levels of alkalinity retards corrosion.

I am not sure about that, I just know that it really sharpens the edge. I mean sharpens. It takes a hair puller and 50/100 canvas to leather, whoa mama.

Serious difference. BTW there is no black or other particulate that is visible on the canvas.

Beats me then. BTW all my strops that have seen serious use have black or red streaks on them at the high spots. My TM linen-covered paddle strop doesn't have any high spots, but it has a black streak running down the right side of the canvas just like you get on a hone if you're a bit careless with the pressure. It's not soaped though, since I was worried about the effect on the glue holding the linen to the paddle.

Canvas will put a wicked edge on a razor. If I strop too much it's easy to get it too sharp for comfort.

My strop only has leather and so I never use linen first.
From what I've read in this thread it is to heat the blade, dry it, and also remove dust/corrosion particles? If this is the case could you just run the blade under hot water and dry before stropping (this is for the heat)? Also does it have to be linen? What if you stretched cotton over your strop? or perhaps chamois leather? I hear that is the best for removing water/dust/residue. Sorry if this sounds silly but I'm a newbie to all this.