Thread: Razor already tugging after about 4 shaves

If you are rolling the razor on the leather pad, when you use the chromium oxide and diamond sprays your really going to create a problem with the edge. I have a paddle strop and it should be easier to use then a regular strop for a beginner. If Lynn sold you the razor it was honed and ready to go. You should not have to use chromium oxide or diamond spray for weeks unless the edge is rounded in stropping. I would suggest you watch Lynn's video on stropping using the modular strop. You will notice he angles the paddle a little toward him. I find that really helps to keep the blade flat on the paddle. I also find that stropping with the razor angled, heal first at about a 30 degree angle also helps keep the blade flat. Try stropping using a butter knife and watch to see the best way to keep the blade flat then try with your razor. It's amazing how fast you can take an edge off by just a little lifting or rolling the blade.

Originally Posted by Grazor

Crikey cris, eyes of an eagle right there...

Not eagle eyes, just a really big high definition 55" monitor with video running on full screen.

Originally Posted by criswilson10

You've rolled the edge of the blade.
Looks like it starts at the g in King and runs all the way to the second t in Cutter. It might be rolled somewhere else as well, that was the only part I could clearly see in the video.
Sprays and pastes aren't going to fix that. It will need a hone.

Rolling the edge is a typical beginner mistake, I think we have all done it, so don't be upset. That's why SRD gives you a free honing with purchase.

I see it too (I think) Chris. Is it identified by the reflected light on the edge?

Welcome to the sport, you may find it pricey at first. I bit the bullet a few years back and bought Naniwa 3/8 and 12K, I suspect they will last me for the rest of my life. So the one time thing on the stones is well worth it. Especially when you get to the point of putting a nice edge on a razor. You will find different razors require different techniques. This is the best possible place for advice and support. Enjoy!

That was going to be my next question, if I could fix that with stropping, or if a honing would be required. I didn't think I'd ruin it in the first week. . .

It's VERY common to roll an edge when you start, I thought I might have seen a raised spine as well.

I could only find one Honolulu member, his user name is islandshaver maybe give him a PM

Originally Posted by WWRSD

That was going to be my next question, if I could fix that with stropping, or if a honing would be required. I didn't think I'd ruin it in the first week. . .

I think apart from what the others have noticed about lifting the razor a bit, you need to have consistent grip on the tang.
On the stroke towards you you are holding by the tang , fingers on the tang stamps. On the away stroke you are holding by the jimps. The correct grip should be a pinch grip by the jimps. When holding the razor by the tang you are creating more downward force and torque that can cause incorrect technique and consequent rolling of the edge.

I repeatedly have made the same offer to members in Hawaii...

I'm willing to come to your place for a week or two for one on one help, as long as you have a spare bedroom for my wife and me! She needs a vacation.

Yes, I too thought you lifted the spine at one point. A cure for bad stropping is a lot of good stropping. That is, you MAY be able to fix a mildly rolled edge with more stropping. If the edge does not improve, then you will need to have it re-honed.

Thanks again for all the responses.

Today, I decided that if I'm going to learn the art of Straight Razor shaving, I'm going to learn it all. So I went and bought a Norton 4k/8k stone and carefully watched Lynn's video on refreshing a razor. After a few passes on the stone, then through all my strops, I have a razor that will cut hair again. It's probably not perfect, but at least usable. I also ordered a 12k finishing stone online, and when that gets here, I'll do the refresh again adding that to the sequence.

This is turning into an expensive hobby.

Yes, you rolled the edge. It does look like the spine comes off the strop at the edge of your strokes, and just before as you anticipate the flip.

You are flipping with your wrist, and are not stopping, before you flip.

Stop then flip. When you flip with the wrist, you will almost always put too much downward pressure on the edge.

Learn to hold the razor by the corners on the tang, so that one corner of the tang is, in the middle of the thumb pad, the opposite corner biting into the edge of the index finger.

Then flip the razor by moving the thumb, like flipping a switch. The other corner will then be in the middle of the thumb pad

If you do it right, only the thumb moves and the wrist is locked and remains in the same position and does not put any downward pressure on the strop.

You can adjust pressure on the edge by controlling the pressure of the thumb and torque the razor for more or less pressure.

As seen in the video it is very slight, but if you used the same pressure on Diamond or Chrome Oxide, just one swipe will roll the edge, subsequent strokes will cause the roll to break off and chip.

Look at the edge with magnification. I like a 60X lighted loupe or the 60X100 Carson Micro Max. Or just run a QTip along the edge from heel to toe lightly. If it snags the cotton the edge is chipped.

The degree of damage will indicate the course of action for repair. Caught early .50 Diamond might bring it back, but look at it first.

I find paddle strops are unforgiving with excess pressure.