Thread: razor dulling

Two points determine a line.

Two lines determine a plane.

Both bevels, that meet to form the edge, are planes that are determined by the two lines that touch the hone, or the strop. The two lines are the edge and the spine. A shaving edge happens when both bevels meet at the edge.

You change the geometry when lifting the spine during stropping and no longer maintain flat contact with each bevel. You are forcing a change in the bevel angle and are folding over the delicate and fine edge. Folding leads to breaking and that fine edge quickly becomes a jagged edge.

Take home message is that both the spine and the edge MUST maintain contact with the strop during each and every stroke on the leather. ONE stroke with the spine lifted off of the leather can trash your edge.