Wow, was I stropping wrong. Doh!

[HopChugger]

So, the nice thing about being a beginner is that ridiculousness is forgiven. Despite the fact that I watched several stropping videos
I spent the first 8 shaves of my new straight razor experience stropping with the blade first and not the spine. I guess I was just
confused on the concept. And the action was decent, so it didn't raise any red flags for me.

As I shaved each time though, I'll be honest, I was nicking myself less and less, and thought "Oh, I'm getting good at this." What I didn't
realize was the blade was just getting a little duller each time. (For beginners, not so bad)

Then I stropped my razor PROPERLY for the first time and it was such a different shave. So sharp! Shave 9 was my best shave
yet! I'm back on track. Lesson learned.

[RobinK]

Yes, the pitfalls of video tutorials. Some of them are less than useful. You still might find Razor stropping - Straight Razor Place Library worth reading. It's got all the right things in it, and in an easily digestible fashion.

[SteveA]

I'm amazed your strop survived the ordeal

[rodb]

Me too!!
You can cut a strop so easy it's not even funny!

I'm amazed your strop survived the ordeal

[BobH]

Yea, pretty much a miracle that the strop and blade survived 8 mis stroppings like that. With luck like that I'd buy a lottery ticket.

Bob

[puketui41]

I don't see how that's possible. Can you post a video of you doing it?

[Kees]

I guess your blade must be blunt or your strop is made of sheet metal.

[JeffR]

Hi HopChugger,

Thank you for posting your experience. No doubt it will be helpful to a lot of folks.

Since you didn't damage your strop or razor, you must have a very controlled, light touch - a real testament to your natural ability. That's a big plus when shaving with a straight razor.

Ein zwei g'suffa!

Jeff

[Firefighter2]

We were all new at this once, glad you figured out the strop. I'm also quite surprised you didn't make 2 strops out of one.

[HopChugger]

I think you are correct. It was light touch, low angle. I got it dialed in now though and just had a fantastic shave!