Thread: Cutting Edge Getting Smaller

Hello everyone,

I'm new to straight shaving (I've only been doing it for a few weeks now) and the razor that I've been using is the Dovo Full Hollow 5/8. I have an Illinois 127 strop, and every time I shave (which is every other day) I do 30 on the canvas and 50 on the leather. After I shave, I do 10 on each side to dry it completely. Lately, I've noticed that my cutting edge has been getting smaller and smaller, almost to the point of not being visible. This is only happening where I shave the most (near the end). Is this normal? I'm completely clueless as to why this is occurring and welcome any and all wisdom on the subject.

What do you mean by the cutting edge? Do you mean the bevel? It could be your stropping technique.

Yep, I'm referring to the bevel. I try to keep the spine and bevel flat while stropping.

my first question is - does your Illinois 127 strop have a clean linen or does it have the white pasty look to it
as a lot of the old Illinois strops had a pasted linen & this will wear your blade down causing your bevel to reduce,
the reason it is more at the toe would be due to your stropping pressure being heavier & in longer contact on the toe than the rest of the blade with the strop surfaces
this is my best guess based on the information received

A hone is supposed to remove steel from the edge. A strop only is supposed to re-align the edge, unless it is pasted, and a pasted strop should not be used every day.

Originally Posted by NobleLegend

Hello everyone,

I'm new to straight shaving (I've only been doing it for a few weeks now) and the razor that I've been using is the Dovo Full Hollow 5/8. I have an Illinois 127 strop, and every time I shave (which is every other day) I do 30 on the canvas and 50 on the leather. After I shave, I do 10 on each side to dry it completely. Lately, I've noticed that my cutting edge has been getting smaller and smaller, almost to the point of not being visible. This is only happening where I shave the most (near the end). Is this normal? I'm completely clueless as to why this is occurring and welcome any and all wisdom on the subject.

Welcome to the wonderful world of straight razor shaving. To me it seems like you may be using a little too much pressure on the linen side of your strop.

Try this:
Take the strop and place it on a flat surface.

Then lightly strop the razor very little pressure very slowly. Lead with the spine and roll it over the spine when you want to switch sides.

I would limit your linen stropping to about 10 laps until you figure out if that's the problem.
Good luck!

Thanks for all of the quick responses everyone! Putting too much pressure on the strop makes perfect sense and I'll be sure to watch for it next time I shave/strop. Thanks again for all of your help!

Seems to me, if the edge is still cutting well, then there is No problem. Still getting a smooth shave?

If he is removing steel while stropping, then that is a problem.

Originally Posted by Utopian

If he is removing steel while stropping, then that is a problem.

Rolling the edge then breaking it off?

But then it wouldn't be usable.