Third shave not as good as the first...

Hey guys, I just worked a 12 hour night shift and decided it would be nice to lather up and shave to relax me before going to sleep. I stropped my blade, which as I learned I need some help with because I cut my strop twice. Two little cuts but nothing serious. (could be I'm tired) I just don't know if I have the right technique going down because the sound changes from stroke to stroke yet I don't see any difference or feel any? I lathered with the soap I usually use. Then I proceeded with my shave since I was fresh out of the shower. I did a WTG pass everywhere and a XTG pass just on my cheeks and chin. My face is redder then the devil. Could I have dulled the blade with poor stropping technique? I never roll over the edge ever I am just not that great at stropping because I haven't had a ton of time to practice. Could it be my shaving technique? Or is it normal for a new guy to have some irritation after his first few shaves? Let me know what you guys think.

Scott

When you cut the strop it does degrade the blade. Also, stropping technique makes a difference. If you have dulled the edge you may have to touch it up.
Stropping sound should be even if you are doing the same things in both directions. If not, take a close look at pressure, toe leading angle etc. Something you are doing is different.
I recommend you touch up the razor on a hone or a balsawood strop with CrOx and then strop again. Also, sand out any cuts on your strop so the blade doesn't catch the leather.

I have to add -when I was starting out a few months ago, I found that my shaves would be inconsistent. I'd get one or two good ones and then one horrible one. Don't worry. As you gain more shaves under your belt, your shaves will become more consistent.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

Scott,

Without knowing your routine, your technique, if you're using too much pressure, a steep angle, speeding the shave, stropping incorrectly, and a few other goodies — not knowing these I cannot make a concrete comment on the problem.

On the other hand, you're probably stropping too fast, and possibly incorrectly. You are using too much pressure shaving. Keep your angle about 20 degrees, 30 maximum in most spots.

Try these for starters and see where you go.

I agree with Obie. Blade angle when shaving is a big factor. And we're both pointing out the mistakes we all make when we start out. The key to it all is practice and analysis of what errors you make...then applying corrections and starting again. It does get better and it will get better quite quickly.

You will carve up your strop. It will happen. Start saving for a new one now. I'm on my second.

One of the better ways to practice stropping is to use a butter knife or other dull razor shaped object and do a ton of laps with it to build muscle memory, it will save your strop from practice nicks.

You might be using to much pressure or your angle is to steep, check those as well

Are you using a hanging strop? If so, then try laying it on the counter and go slowly applying just enough pressure to keep the razor in contact with the strop all the way across. I would wager that you have rolled the edge or degraded it in some way so it would not be a bad idea to send it out to be re-honed. The mistake that is most often made and exacerbated by the advent of YouTube is going to fast. When you watch someone like Lynn or Glen stropping really fast you get the notion that is the way it should be done, it's not. Go slow and build consistency, speed will come with time, lots of time.

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Originally Posted by guitstik

Are you using a hanging strop? If so, then try laying it on the counter and go slowly applying just enough pressure to keep the razor in contact with the strop all the way across. I would wager that you have rolled the edge or degraded it in some way so it would not be a bad idea to send it out to be re-honed. The mistake that is most often made and exacerbated by the advent of YouTube is going to fast. When you watch someone like Lynn or Glen stropping really fast you get the notion that is the way it should be done, it's not. Go slow and build consistency, speed will come with time, lots of time.

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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.

Hi Scott: If you cut the strap the edge has been dulled. I strop very slow and try to make sure the entire edge of my blade is in contact with the leather. If I try to gain speed my blade edge loses contact with the leather. It may be time to visit the finishing stone for a few strokes without applying any downward pressure on the blade. Good Luck.

[QUOTE=feltspanky;1382050]Hi Scott: If you cut the strap the edge has been dulled. I strop very slow and try to make sure the entire edge of my blade is in contact with the leather. If I try to gain speed my blade edge loses contact with the leather. It may be time to visit the finishing stone for a few strokes without applying any downward pressure on the blade. Good Luck.

Even small nicks would dull the blade that much? Im worried about using the finishing stone. What would happen if I didn't even need to touch it up? As it still takes the whiskers off my face easily.

Shaving with a dull blade is like rubbing 100 grit sandpaper across your face. Do you have a finishing honing stone. If not a very fine grit of lapping film is an option. Finish up with stropping.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

Attachment 176440Great 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!

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Originally Posted by S0LITARYS0LDIER

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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Originally Posted by helmut0

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

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I am not sure advising these tests to a new shaver is advisable personally, there is a good chance of injuring yourself or the blade.

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

I am not sure advising these tests to a new shaver is advisable personally, there is a good chance of injuring yourself or the blade.

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Scott, I agree with edhewitt on this. I assume helmut0 means the "thumb pad test," which entails touching your edge gently across the edge and not "running" or "sliding" it across the edge. That will cut you. With the "thumb pad test," if it feels as if your skin is sticking to the edge, then you have a good edge, where you can stop or move on to the next level in your honing method. Either way, the final test is the shave test: if your razor shaves you well, then it is shave ready. Still, all this is far ahead of you. For now, concern yourself with stropping properly. The strop is one of the most important elements in straight razor shaving. Learn it and learn it well.

very good advise Obie