Stropping angle set by tactile feel

[matt321]

I've been experimenting with stropping on 4"x8" postit paper on glass and dusted with CrO. I am using very light strokes (less than the weight of the blade). I set the approximate angle for each stropping stroke by raising the bevel to the point that it catches the surface if gently pushed back in the direction of the edge.

Paying close attention to the feedback or feel of each stroke, I noticed that if the stropping angle is lowered a tad, the tactile feedback is very smooth, like the blade is floating on air. If the spine is raised a millimeter or two, the tactile feel becomes slightly raspy.

I'm wondering what is precisely the most productive stropping angle; the float on air feel or the raspy feel (or maybe the transition between the two)?

Any opinions?

 

[gud4u]

Relying on tactile feedback is pretty nebulous when you're stropping with 10,000-grit CrO powder.

I think better feedback is provided by observing the polished area on the bevels, using light reflection or magnifier or combination of both. The portion polished by CrO powder is highly reflective and should be easily differentiated from the coarser grind marks produced by coarser abrasives.

Hope this helps!

 

[matt321]

With a thin substrate on glass the feedback is greater than with leather. The diagram below illustrates what I think I'm able to feel while stropping.