Thread: Razor already tugging after about 4 shaves

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!

My thoughts, if you're lifting the spine on the away stroke it's because of the angle of the paddle strop. Is it possible to lay the nose of the strop on a waist level counter keep the strop more level? Or to lay the strop near the edge of a counter and strop with it flat, sort of like a hone? Coming toward you the spine is going to be forced against the strop - this will force it to ride up it, but you'll be want to torque the blade to keep it in contact with leather as it rides up. If you continue that same torque on the down-stroke, you're more apt to lift the spine and roll the edge.

With a hanging strop it's typically mounted at waist level, and cants upward going away from you to match the natural sweep of your arm. With the high end towards you I would think you're working against your body's natural ergonomics. Consider laying it flat, or with the nose tilted slightly upward.

+1 to Mainaman
There are experienced honers that recommend gripping the flat of the tang when stropping.
However, it seems awkward, slow, and produces less satisfactory results than holding the edges of the tang - IMHO.
Just part of the art - always interesting to try doing things a different way to see if it works better.

Thanks for the advice. I have a hanging strop as well, that at first was harder for me to use. I've since gotten better with it, and find that I get a much better edge using it. You were most likely right about the angle being the problem.

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.

+1 on Euclid440. If you lightly run your fingernail from spine past the edge & it hangs on one side, it is rolled. If it is, send it back in for your free honing.