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Im a newbie about 40 shaves in. I've been shaving lately without many cuts or nicks. I felt one of my razors just wasn't doing the job so I sent it in for honing. Feeling that the razor was "shave ready" I proceeded without my usual strop. My first shave after honing didn't really go so well. Some significant cuts and nicks. Id appreciate any thoughts on this. Also should I strop this razor before I use it again?
I would contact the person who honed your razor. If he is of any worth he will have you send it back.
Mike
Ok did your hone guy tell you not to strop? And it depends on who you sent it to, some are better than others. Trust me on this one. Plus it will more likely to nick you if it's really sharp if your technique is off. Make sure your lather is good, and stretch the skin well. Try not to set the blade on the skin at too much of an angle, these are some of the reasons for little nicks, but if stretched and your not coming in with too high a pitch you shouldn't be cutting yourself. Tc
A fresh honed razor will take less pressure to do its job. The pressure you use will gradually change as the razor dulls over time. Stopping slows this process down.
Some people here strop before and after each shave, I only strop after each shave and that seems to be what works for me.
As TC said, very sharp 8n the hands of a new guy can and will cut you. Now if the angle on the face is correct and you notice pulling whiskers and not slicing thru then id contact the honer again. And i strop before and after every shave. Now 8f i just got a razor from someone who honed 8t for me then i ask if its been stroped. Not that more stroping will hurt it any but an unpracticed hand can damage durring stropping. Thats wby some folks say not to strop a freashly honed razor. You need to know how it works before you personnaly do anything to the edge.
If you sent the razor out to be honed and who ever honed it did a proper job the razor should have been not only honed but also stropped before sending back to you, if the razor is tugging/pulling after getting it back it could be the razor's edge, technique and or prep so I would try to do a hardy stropping on linen/cotton then leather and have another go and if it's still the same then it may have to be rehoned if your prep is spot on and that's not the issue.