Thread: Third shave not as good as the first...

Originally Posted by S0LITARYS0LDIER

Would anyone else suggest the laying the strop on the counter? Then how will I learn using it while hanging? Update on the irritation my face is now back to normal and I'm enjoying a BBS face on a Sunday, God bless. I think technique was the problem at work here.

Scott,

I do not see the need to lay your strop flat on some surface. Hang your strop in the usual way — mine is on a hook about waist high — and strop slowly and methodically but not hesitantly — apologies for all the adverbs. Make sure the blade is not lifted off the strop. Also, make sure the entire blade contacts the strop. Pull the strop taught but with a hint of slack. Do 60 strokes on the linen/fabric and 60 on the leather. Earlier, a gentleman suggested using a dull butter knife for practice. That is a good idea, except make sure the edge has no stirration for fear of scratching the leather on your strop.

There are several good videos to watch, especially Lynn's:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=
http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...d-me-alot.html
How to Strop | ASR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

Just take your time, because proper stropping is important.

Originally Posted by S0LITARYS0LDIER

Would anyone else suggest the laying the strop on the counter? Then how will I learn using it while hanging? Update on the irritation my face is now back to normal and I'm enjoying a BBS face on a Sunday, God bless. I think technique was the problem at work here.

Laying it on the counter takes one thing out of the equation for stropping, keeping enough tension on the strop. Learn how to keep the razor flat on the strop first and then try it with the strop hanging. I still place the strop on the counter from time to time depending on the razor or if my technique has gotten sloppy, it gets me back into the rhythm of a proper strop.

Here is a "Beginners Tip" from Gssixgun (AKA Glen) from back in the day. http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ch-2011-a.html

Great advice, and my blade must still be sharp because no way does it feel like 100 grit sandpaper yet. This is my strop damage -.- very frustrating. Any tips on how to not do this. Did you guys nick your strops when you started out? Good thing Christmas is coming up lol!

Originally Posted by S0LITARYS0LDIER

Great advice, and my blade must still be sharp because no way does it feel like 100 grit sandpaper yet.

Hi again Scott: This is what I meant to say. It didn't quite come out that way. This is from my personal experience. If my razor isn't quite shave ready and I shave with it. Rubbing my face feels as if it were shaved with 100 grit sandpaper. My face isn't smooth and feels rough and prickly.

I think everyone needs to calm down with the honing advice, it is a 3rd shave after a 12 hour night shift, i would put more money on that being the issue. Small minor nicks in your strop won't kill your edge, they probably won't do it a lot of good but let's not jump to conclusions.
You have said that your shaves are better again, so technique is most likely the issue.
I have been using the same hanging strop for a year and despite having a few nicks ( or character) it works wonderfully. Don't assume that you will destroy your strop, just try not to. Take your time with the stropping technique and you won't need to lay your strop of a table. Practice the technique with anything razor ish shaped and a belt if you are worried. Or just take it steady.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

I think everyone needs to calm down with the honing advice, it is a 3rd shave after a 12 hour night shift, i would put more money on that being the issue. Small minor nicks in your strop won't kill your edge, they probably won't do it a lot of good but let's not jump to conclusions.
You have said that your shaves are better again, so technique is most likely the issue.
I have been using the same hanging strop for a year and despite having a few nicks ( or character) it works wonderfully. Don't assume that you will destroy your strop, just try not to. Take your time with the stropping technique and you won't need to lay your strop of a table. Practice the technique with anything razor ish shaped and a belt if you are worried. Or just take it steady.

Excellent Ed, I was worried about my strop not working as well or having to throw it out and get a new one. I'm putting my money on both the irritation and strop damage on lack of practice and sleep too. I find if I watch Lynn's video of stropping while stropping myself that I can imitate that sound and feel myself getting a good rythm. The strop also doesn't have a lot of give to it. It's broken in yet.

The times that I have cut my strops, it has always rolled the edge of the blade a bit - usually a spot about 1/4 of an inch in length. Five travels on CrOx fixed most of them. One of them I had to do ten passes on a 12k to fix. Lapping film will work as well.
Even a little ding on edge can leave your face raw.
Hold your blade in a bright light and turn it until you can see the bevel and edge shining. It should be a constant line of bright white. If there are gaps in the line or spots that are really shiny, then you have rolled the edge.

Scott,

Ed is quite correct. No need to worry about the little nicks on your strop. Certainly you need not think about honing now. Also, you need not lay the strop flat on a surface; it really is not necessary. Please watch the videos carefully and follow direction, because you are receiving advice from the masters. Carefully and methodically will do it. Beyond that, please ask questions.

Originally Posted by S0LITARYS0LDIER

Could I have dulled the blade with poor stropping technique?
Yes.
Could it be my shaving technique?
Yes, you're pressure & angles are not yet refined.

Things you haven't told us.

Was the razor is made in Pakistan or similar ? If so, the next question is irrelevant.

Was the razor honed properly in the first place ?

You said that you showered first? I ran into problems right out of the shower,because you wash off your natural oils.So your pre shave should replace that before you lather.Run your thumb across your blade and feel for a slow down or a snag.The hone should be smooth from one end to the other,if not try again..Good luck...Dave