Thread: Stropping problems

Hi.
I have a stropping question and thought it good to use an existing thread to post:
I have noticed when looking closely at the tip/cutting edge of the blade that it does not seem to make contact with the strop. I am using a strop on solid base (wood) and thought this might be the problem. I am guessing that with a loose strop the leather 'forms' to the shape of the blade and will then make contact with the tip/cutting edge.
What I have tried is to put my forefinger on the tip of the blade and push the blade away from me on the strop.
This seems to result better contact between the tip and strop, but I fear it is not the right way to do it.
Please comment.

Originally Posted by oopkrane

I have noticed when looking closely at the tip/cutting edge of the blade that it does not seem to make contact with the strop. I am using a strop on solid base (wood) and thought this might be the problem. I am guessing that with a loose strop the leather 'forms' to the shape of the blade and will then make contact with the tip/cutting edge.

My friend, that sounds like your strop is cupping. Your blade should sit flat on the surface, especially if it is a flat surface strop.

Originally Posted by oopkrane

What I have tried is to put my forefinger on the tip of the blade and push the blade away from me on the strop.
This seems to result better contact between the tip and strop, but I fear it is not the right way to do it.
Please comment.

You are correct. This is not the way to do it. You probably need to treat your strop surface and flatten it, or get another strop, but either way, pushing your blade down with your fingers to contact the surface of the strop is not a good thing. There are several threads dealing with cupping strops. Do a search in the strops section and you will find this topic addressed. There are some good suggestions for flattening a cupping strop, and there are also quite a few places to get a strop at very reasonable prices.

I don't know the repercussions to your razor of doing it that way, but it cannot be good.

Read up on the topic in the strop section is the best advice I can give you..

Good luck mate!!

M