Stropping

Any advice on stropping for a newb? I have a nice strop coming soon. I heard 40 laps on linen first (20
Up, 20 back) and then the same on the leather. Is that about right? Do you apply pressure when stropping? Or just glide along softly?

I also heard post shave it is good to do 20 laps on leather. 

Regards,

Kirk

Kirk, may I suggest a different route?

I prefer 15 complete laps on linen followed by 30 on leather. I think of it like a progression on stones. As you move up in grit, so does the amount of laps you do.

Regarding how to actually strop, just take it nice and slow with very very light pressure. He strop itself should be held tight enough that you see the very slightest of give wherever the razor is in your lap. If you hold the strop too loose it will most certainly round your edge. At most... the strop should look like this:

For me, It depends a lot on the blade.
Always ratio 1:2 hard / soft side.
At least 15x on thin full hollow blade, at max 50x on big near wedge chopper.

Thank you, Gents, for the replies. I will keep you all updated.

I think most people strop more than they need to. Stropping after honing is different than pre shave stropping. 

10-15 laps (down and back is one lap) linen
20-25 leather 

No pressure. Keep more tension on the strop than you think you need. 

Go SLOW early on and pay close attention at the turns. That’s where you’re most likely to slice that beautiful new strop. Come back here when you do. Most likely it’ll be saveable. And you will slice your first one up. Hope it’s not too nice... haha 

I do not strop after shaving. I was told the edge will last longer if you let the steel rest after use. There’s some literature out about this. Some do some don’t. I don’t.

I never do more than 10/15 on canvas/linen and 10/15 on leather. That includes all the razors I work on. Be it after honing or between shaves. Sean nailed it. Most strop way too much which is overkill and only wears out your strop. Of course if proper stropping technique gets applied.

I never do more than 10/15 on canvas/linen and 10/15 on leather. That includes all the razors I work on. Be it after honing or between shaves. Sean nailed it. Most strop way too much which is overkill and only wears out your strop. Of course if proper stropping technique gets applied.

The king spoke!

Time to adjust my own stropping methods!

Great! Thank you Gentlemen! I appreciate the help. I’m so excited to get started. I have my first 2 straights coming.