Straight Razor Place Forums - View Single Post - Does a heavy draw require less stropping?

dylandog · 06-24-2008, 07:10 PM

I agree with bigspendur that draw is mostly a function of the type of leather, and that it doesn't indicate that fewer passes are needed. Another factor frequently overlooked here is the amount of humidity in your bathroom. I notice the draw is markedly heavier if I shower before stropping and shaving.

But once you know a strop well and can control for these factors you'll notice that whatever the initial draw, the 'sticky' feeling while stropping increases subtly as you get it near to perfection.

I use a vintage horse strop with zero draw, at least initially. I do about 40 or 50 fast passes and when I begin to get some light draw I know it's ready. If I can't get any draw by even 60 or 70 laps, nine times out of ten I discover that the edge is getting subpar and it's back to the hones.

Whatever strop you're using try to get it to talk to you.

06-24-2008, 07:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
dylandog Status: Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 758 Thanks: 8 Thanked 18 Times in 16 Posts	I agree with bigspendur that draw is mostly a function of the type of leather, and that it doesn't indicate that fewer passes are needed. Another factor frequently overlooked here is the amount of humidity in your bathroom. I notice the draw is markedly heavier if I shower before stropping and shaving. But once you know a strop well and can control for these factors you'll notice that whatever the initial draw, the 'sticky' feeling while stropping increases subtly as you get it near to perfection. I use a vintage horse strop with zero draw, at least initially. I do about 40 or 50 fast passes and when I begin to get some light draw I know it's ready. If I can't get any draw by even 60 or 70 laps, nine times out of ten I discover that the edge is getting subpar and it's back to the hones. Whatever strop you're using try to get it to talk to you.