Thread: Excess drag

I'll try doing less time on the pasted strop. Would you suggest a few laps on the 4k/8k hone to retouch the edge if its been over-honed? I've done pyramids staring at 15 strokes, but often require another set starting from 10 strokes before its cutting arm hair. I'm still getting a feel for blade pressure on the hone and I think I get better every time.

I've really worked on my technique over the years, and I wont lie, I'm always trying to keep stretching, pressure, and angle in mind, and its definitely an ongoing matter of practice for me. The problem is the force that I often need to cut through the hair doesn't allow me to simply wipe the lather off with the blade, which I feel points more to the blade edge itself over shaving technique.

I'm sure my honing skills are wanting, and I'm still getting a feel for pressure. I think the edge must have been well honed when Ken did it, but I never got smooth shaves then either. Maybe I should try sending it back to him or to someone else for another honing.

There should always be some amount of resistance as the blade cuts through the hair. The development of good technique is crucial to awesome shaves. As you shave the blade will pick up the hairs but the effort is to shave just the lather to keep the pressure against your skin to a minimum.

If you weren't getting good shaves after it was honed and you didn't strop it to death on the pasted strop, then partner , it comes down to your technique ,see if you can locate a mentor after 3 years you might just have overlooked the issue that maybe someone can see. As for how many days growth that doesn't matter, the DE gave you a good shave because it does some of the technique for you. Tc

Thanks for the honesty. I'll try and revisit some technique and back off on the strop. I know many have said days of beard growth doesn't matter, but I definitely notice a difference and I know I've read a post from Lynn where he made mention of the beard softening over a period of days (something about different grinds of razor and days of growth). If I could find a local mentor I would, but I can't say I know anyone as yet.

I don’t think the frequency of a pasted strop is the issue but excessive pressure could be. Pressure, too much, is a common new stropper dilemma.

I suspect the razor need a touch up. Some magnification and looking straight down on the edge will quickly tell you. You can buy a good lighted 60X loupe for as little as $2.

Here is a post (Second Try at Honing) with lots of good edge photos, and at post 32 are some good photos looking straight down on the edge.