Thread: Strop Annihilation?

Originally Posted by Razorfaust

My brother in law is a perfect example why our beloved pass time has gone out of popularity. He is a guy who hates shaving to him its a nuisance a waste of time and wants it over with as quick as possible. Not all folks see the value in spending a half hour fiddling with shave gear strops, hones, soaps, brushes and risking laceration as fun. I imagine many feel as he does. i personally think they are crazy.

I second the crazy. People need to learn to stop and smell the roses. If it's not shaving, which I'm willing to accept, it's gotta be something.

There is documented evidence that such past times are beneficial. Hopefully everyone can find something to fortify their sanity.

I felt as he did until I hard mention from a friend he was considering srs. I became curious why anyone would do it. That was the beginning of the end for me...

Yup, the blade was still moving forward when you flipped, and the corner of the blade scratched the strop, then the blade bit into the strop and cut the flap.

Glue the flap down with rubber cement and a toothpick, it will be fine.

Stop the razor fully before you flip and slow down… flip with your fingers not your wrist. Hold the tang on opposite corners and use your thumb like flipping a switch.

I fumbled the razor before I made the first stroke. Just clumsiness damage. Lesson learned.

I treated the strop with mink oil this morning. I'm excited to see how it changes the feel and draw of the leather.

The mink oil healed the tiny flaps and the draw is a little heavier. Shaving was ultra comfortable today thanks in part to that wonderful strip of leather!

I have proceeded to slightly nick my strop on three separate occasions now. Glad there is so much info on it's inevitability on the forum. I'm a little obsessive about things, so others similar experiences have helped console me in these times of sorrow and self doubt.

I think it's something to bask in and enjoy. You can see your mistakes and in time, hang up the chopped up strop and remember where you started. My first strop is full of memories and I am more careful with it than my 3" SRD strop.

Well, nicking the strop is amazingly easy to do. It also shows you just how sharp that razor really is. Mine got a couple of war wounds in the first couple of days, luckily a little sandpaper and/or a tiny bit of rubber cement can fix those nicks or flaps quickly and easily. After a while you won't even think about it, muscle memory will take over and all will be well.

Gah.. I was so proud of myself for not wounding my strop on my first two attempts. Then, three or four nicks magically appeared in the last two days! It's embarrassing, but it's also why I bought two strops right off the bat.

Nicking the strop has happened more than I would like. But, hey, live and learn.

this thread is interesting to me. i've been having a hard time explaining why i'm trying to learn the art. in large part, i think it's because of the focus and mindfulness that's required to not make a serious mess of everything. seems difficult to come by those opportunities these days. insightful posts, folks. helpful
thanks!