Thread: Don't neglect the art of the strop

The shave test is the only "test" that is conclusive, the others require experience that still may not be spot on like a shave test. Some of the tests are about like parlor tricks & about as useful as dunny paper.

+2 fir the thoughts in this post

The things that helped me learn good stropping techniques were having proper razor grip, using slow deliberate strokes, spine & edge flat, flip on the spine, up and back using Lynn's modular strop. I used SRD's modular strop for over a year before I got my first hanging strop. Now I have 3 good hanging strops and haven't nicked them yet. After a shave, I let the razor dry, then strop it later 40 linen/60 leather. I shave 2 to 3 times a week, so the night before a shave I'll select the razor to use then strop it 40/60 minimum so it's ready to use. Sometimes in the evening to relax, I'll strop several of my razors so the all the ones in rotation are ready to use at any time. I typically do not strop in the bathroom immediately before shaving. My stropping is at a slower relaxed pace and separate from my shave routine. Thanks to all at SRP for being a source of learning thru sharing our experiences.

Originally Posted by aglose

Is there a test you can do to tell when your blade is becoming rounded?

Gssixgun (Glen), recommends ( and it only took me 8 months to listen to the advice), that everyone should get a loupe, they're cheap and they make all the difference in the world. When you get a loupe, one with the little LED blue light, and learn to look at your edges, it suddenly becomes crystal clear why tests like the HHT and the TNT get a little frustrating, in the opinion of many.

When you have a loupe, you can see the condition of your edge, from the bevel to the condition of the edge, and to answer your question, using a loupe, you can easily tell if you have a rolled edge. I learned this when I started out by being told I had rolled several edges on half my blades because I was stropping incorrectly. Once again, the fundamentals, and stropping is one of the most important fundamentals. I had to go back to the drawing board and start all over again to learn proper stropping technique. Now, with the loupe, and some confidence in my stropping technique, if I make a mistake stropping (accidents happen), I merely pop the loupe in my eye and have a look at the edge, usually one good look and I can tell the state of the edge.

Very senior members here, the mentors, advisers, and moderators, say this stuff over and over again to us beginners and we don't always listen, which is OK, we all have to take the journey, that's the fun...but the loupe will tell you everything you need to know, aside from the best test, the shave test, once you read the posts on what to look for, and kinda puts, at least in my opinion, to rest the notion of arbitrary tests like the HHT and the TNT....just my opinion.

Phrank can we get a few more details on the loupe that you have? Thanks.

Originally Posted by Redcane

Phrank can we get a few more details on the loupe that you have? Thanks.

Here's the thread I started after listening to Glen and all the other experienced honers on this site, I've basically made is as far as refreshing a practice razor on a coticule (with no idea of the results), lapping my first set of stones (Norton 4/8, and a Nani 12k with a Naniwas Flattening stone), and refreshing a blade somewhat successfully with the Nani 12k.

Having said that, I've learned at least how to look at an edge using the loupe...here's the thread that I started with lots of members weighing in, and as well, do a search and there's tons of stuff on using a loupe.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...ing-loupe.html

And another link to a forum thread:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...en-honing.html

Cheers!

Just purchased the same loupe suggested by Phrank.

Thanks Gentlemen!

Frank

Originally Posted by Lakebound

Just purchased the same loupe suggested by Phrank.

Thanks Gentlemen!

Frank

Thanks, but thank Glen (Gssixgun), he posted one similar to it, if not the same one, I just bought it locally....I just stood on the shoulders of Giants....

Thank you Phrank.

Great information thanks as I have ordered a loupe also