Thread: 7 months in, First real issue - Heel scraping my strop

I've been shaving with a straight for 7 months now, still feel like a beginner. This is probably a beginner-type question...

Starting with my post-shave stropping yesterday (I do a pre- and post-shave strop), I noticed that the heel of my razor is scraping my leather strop on one side of the razor. I first noticed it by the sound it was making. I slowed down, and tried different positions on the strop until I tracked it down to the heel. I felt along the edge of the razor, but didn't feel anything rough or bent. I looked at it with a magnifying glass, but couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. The one thing I could see was that when I turned my strop over and used the cloth side again (post-shave I always go cloth ~50 strokes, then leather ~100), the heel snagged a small strand of the cloth, very very small, allowing me to see exactly where the problem is. But, even on close inspection of this spot, I couldn't see anything wrong with the blade.

So, my question is: do I need to get this razor honed? Or is this "normal."

Just a few minutes ago, I purchased my second razor from the classifieds, because I realized that I should have two in case one goes down. Been wanting to do that for a while actually. Until that arrives, I guess I'll just have to be extremely careful to keep the heel away from my face & neck.

Also, I just read Lynn's post to beginners regarding self-honing. I have not yet learned this art, but I intend to. Now that I own two razors, it will be more practical for me to learn.

Thanks,

Scott

No, this is not normal. The razor has been damaged in some way and must be corrected, most likely on the stones. I have seen some small faucet dings that do exactly what you are talking about. Don't fret though, you were more than likely ready for a fresh honing on that blade anyways & the good news is that you have a back-up razor. Send it to the honer of your choice and they will be able to correct the problem at the bevel setting stage of the honing.

Ditto Shooter's advice.

I was afraid that was the case. You're probably right about it being a faucet ding. The only other source of the ding I can think of is on the bolt that holds my strop together. Either way, I'll be sending it to a pro as soon as I get the new razor -- if not sooner. Thanks for the advice Scott. And thanks for reinforcing that advice Mick.

Scott

Wow, you've been shaving for seven months without a problem! I'd say you are a shining example of an SRP success story.

Please keep posting and share any advice you might have for guys that are just starting.

Michael

Ha! If only! No, this was my first "real" issue, meaning significant or somewhat major. I've had others for sure, though much less significant. My very first post in the forums was to say hello and that I hadn't cut myself at all in my first few shaves. Well, that has changed! I've got a few battle scars now. Other issues too, just basic learning stuff I'm sure.

Or maybe you were implying that I should have had more major issues by now?

Nope no implying. I was genuinely impressed. 7 months of shaving on one blade without getting discouraged is very nice.

Michael

Well thank you, sir. I attribute that success to a fine honing by Lynn to start with, and then the great instruction I received on stropping from the Stroptober videos. I watched a TON of those.

So, you mentioned my advice for others, and that would be: GO WATCH THE STROPTOBER VIDEOS NOW.

They were extremely helpful and informative. Thank you to all who contributed to these. I found several helpful clues in there (regarding topics such as angles & patterns, amount of pressure to apply, numbers of strokes, how hard to pull on the strop, how to hold/turn the blade, etc., etc.) that vastly improved my technique, and, I'm sure, helped to preserve my edge for so long. And there's always room for improvement.

This site, and you fine folks on it, have definitely kept me in this. And it gets better with practice.

Scott