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This page is reproduced from Joel's Interactive Guide to Shaving. Please use the original forum posts for discussion.

How to use a Hanging Strop

The instructions are identical whether you are using a linen/canvas side or not. Assuming you have a linen/canvas side to the strop, start with the canvas/linen side as shown below. If you do not have a canvas/linen side on your strop, merely use the same method - just on the smooth leather side of the strop.

Step 1 – Start with the linen/canvas side facing up (so you can see it) and firmly pull the strop taught straight out towards you so it is as flat as possible.

Step 2 - Using NO pressure, leading with the spine, and keeping the razors spine and blade as flat as possible, slide the razor across the strop in a diagonal manner (see picture below) so that the entire length of the blade is stropped across the canvas/linen.

Step 3 - Roll the razor, picking the edge of the razor off of the strop, and turning the razor around in the opposite direction.

Step 4 - Perform a DIAGONAL stroke the same manner as in step 2, yet in the opposite direction, you have just made an elongated “X” across the strop as the two strokes (one in each direction) combined to look like an “X.” Step 2 and 4 combined are considered 1 complete stroke or pass. Do approximately 15-20 passes/strokes (both directions).

Step 5 – Flip the strop over to the leather side, and strop back and forth in the same manner as above about 35 times.

Your razor has been properly stropped, and ready to shave!