Thread: Beginner Questions

Should I hear the blade dragging when I strop?
I heard about the hair test to see if the blade is sharp and i cant get it to work.
Should the test work before shaving?
I bought the strop new it seems a bit stiff.
Should i condition it before i continue?

[QUOTE=ReedyPA;640202]Should I hear the blade dragging when I strop?
Yes, It won't be silent. It's hard to know what your hearing exactly, but you definitely should hear the blade being stropped...You should be using a smooth fluid movement, and no pressure...

I heard about the hair test to see if the blade is sharp and i cant get it to work.
Should the test work before shaving?
Dont' worry about the hair test. Shave, That's the real test...

I bought the strop new it seems a bit stiff.
Should i condition it before i continue?
Most Strop manufacturers recommend just rubbing the strop with the palm of your hand. If it's a high quality strop, that's all I'd do...

Its a $30 illinois strop

The hardest thing to do that I found was to not put any ressure on the blade as you glide it across the strop. Be careful about pressure on the blade, lay it gently and let it glide. It takes some practice but you'll get it.

Originally Posted by ReedyPA

Its a $30 illinois strop

Illinois is a reputable brand, been around for ages. You shouldn't have any quality concerns there.

Originally Posted by Mvcrash

The hardest thing to do that I found was to not put any ressure on the blade as you glide it across the strop. Be careful about pressure on the blade, lay it gently and let it glide. It takes some practice but you'll get it.

+1. Just enough pressure to keep it flat on the strop, and no more. Also, technique is important, speed is not. Start slowly when stropping. Develop the muscle memory (skill). Don't get hung up over not feeling the "draw" or hearing the sound...

There is definately a sound. I would describe it as a hissing sound, but others may differ. A zinging sound is not good (to much pressure and you probably lifted the spine).

If you are talking about the hanging hair test, it's a parlor trick. Don't waste your time.

My illinois strop was stiff at first as well, I just used it out of the box. You can also give it a good rub to soften it a little.

I was given the advice here when I first started to take a sheet of paper and fold it into a 1" wide strip and strop with it. Whe you can do that without bending the paper, that will be about the right amount of pressure.

+1 on going slow to develop the muscle memory - you can destroy a strop very easily until this happens.