Thread: Weird stropping issue.....please help!

As others have said please post pictures.
Are the scratches happening in both directions when you strop or just one?

The only razors that left scratches for me were a spike point razor and I was doing to much of rolling pattern that I corrected as soon as I noticed what I was doing and a razor with hone wear that developed a spike at the stabilizer (a new razor shouldn't have that)

I would think the problem is going to be right where your finding the leather on the spine :<0)




ps.... your probably within walking distance of a member that could help out .

I have one custom razor with jimps on top of the tang that run up onto the spine. I had the same problem with it and realized right away that I have to tape it when I strop. If there aren't any jimps on top, check the spine of the razor with a loupe for any defects. You could also rub it lightly with a cotton ball and see if it grabs anywhere. If these tests produce nothing obvious then I would suspect the leather as previously mentioned.
Good luck and let us know what you find.

Pete <:-}

Originally Posted by dmnc

Not an expert, but please post pics of both the strop and razor. Definitely not how it's supposed to go. More experienced gents will chime in soon I'm sure. Pics will hopefully help them get a better idea if the problem. I also have never repaired more than small nicks in the edge of my strop with sandpaper and then conditioner. Again others have much more experience of such.

Here is a pic of the strop aftermath:



You can see that it's just on the one side where the front edge of the spine is hitting.

Originally Posted by Castel33

Sounds like more of an issue with the razor then the strop. Was your made shave ready by the factory or vendor? What type of strop is it? Did the scratches happen the first time you stropped? Did you shave with your razor first or strop it before first shave? Pics will help. Take pics of the spine of the razor and the edge.

Yes, I purchased the razor from SRD, as well as the strop (3" Red Latigo). Yes, the scratches literally happened the first stropping session. I stropped before I shaved, per the instructions on the website.

Originally Posted by wayne394

You need to post some photos. Did you strop on the cotton/linen side of your strop first? Does it have a cotton/linen side? Are there rough edges on the spine? If there are, but not too severe, tape the blade edge of your razor then strop on the cotton or the rough leather side of your strop to smooth these off before going any further. If the spine has severe jagged edges, return it from whence it came! First time I've ever heard of a Boker having problems like that.

Quality close up photos of spine and strop damage will help lead to a definitive answer.

Yes, I did strop on the linen side before attempting the leather side. This is my first razor (other than a Dovo Shavette), so I'm not exactly an expert on how sharp the spine should be, but it does not feel like it has any jagged edges.

Very carefully check and see if there is a frown on edge by holding it edge down VERY lightly on a known flat object and hold it up to a light, there shouldn't be any spots where light comes through under the edge

Originally Posted by rodb

As others have said please post pictures.
Are the scratches happening in both directions when you strop or just one?

The only razors that left scratches for me were a spike point razor and I was doing to much of rolling pattern that I corrected as soon as I noticed what I was doing and a razor with hone wear that developed a spike at the stabilizer (a new razor shouldn't have that)

I appears that it is only on the one side. I'm right-handed, so it would be the left-side of the spine (when holding blade side down straight in front of me). The other side does not appear to have the same issue.

Pictures and explanations, send to SRD. I am confidant they will make things right.

Something is not right... I do not know what. The scratches, honestly, will not damage the strop... it will look ugly, but not damage the strop.

The razor is the cause and that is NOT right....

Again, query SRD with pictures. I'm confident that Lynn and Don will make things right for you.

Regards

Christian

As Rodb asked, are the scratches occurring during one or both stropping directions?

Also, are the scratches on the strop happening from the heel or the toe end of the blade?