How do you sharpen a razor with a leather strop?
How to sharpen straight razor with strop. Always flip the razor over the spine and not over the cutting edge. What grit sharpening stone do i need for a straight razor? To sharpen, place your straight razor flat against one end of the stone, so the entire side of the blade is in contact with it.
At first, you have to put the sharpening stone on a completely flat surface. For a straight razor, we would recommend a #4000 and #8000 grit honing stone to bring a normal razor back up shave ready. When your razor meets the higher end of the strop, you roll it on the spine to flip the blade over.
Similarly to the stropping motion, hold the blade against the stone and apply slight, gentle pressure. Get the stones and honing area ready: Hang your strop on a secure hook, then use the other end to pull the strop towards you until it is taut.
Sharpening a straight razor blade starts with stropping the edge straight out of the box, especially if the blade does not pass your sharpness test. Start to sharpen somewhere spacey to move your hands. Place your whetstone on a completely flat and even surface.
Two methods of sharpening a straight razor: Pull the strop taut by holding the free end in one hand. Then, gently push it forward without applying any pressure.
Place the razor at the bottom of the strop. The motion resembles how your turn a key. Push the blade, cutting edge side first up the stone.