Thread: Sharpening

Having trouble getting my blade to stay sharp . Tugging more than shaving .

So far I've flattened my stones . And run the blade for a few laps on. Then onto the strop.


I was getting a good sharp edge but it wouldn't last long .
And now I can't seem to get a sharp edge.


My straight razor is an old kropp razor.

Any ideas as to what to check.

Originally Posted by bigwhitetruck

Having trouble getting my blade to stay sharp . Tugging more than shaving .

So far I've flattened my stones . And run the blade for a few laps on. Then onto the strop.


I was getting a good sharp edge but it wouldn't last long .
And now I can't seem to get a sharp edge.


My straight razor is an old kropp razor.

Any ideas as to what to check.

I don't know if you are a newer straight razor shaver or not but I would go back to the 1k until it is sharp. In the future, take it to your finishing hone or pasted strop before it is starting to tug.

If you are a newer shaver your edge will not last as long just due to beginner technique (which will improve over time).

How confident are you in your stropping? Poor stropping can ruin an edge quickly.

What stones are you using?

Approximately how many laps did you do on each?

What kind of pressure did you use on each?

What did you use to flatten your stones?

Are you assessing sharpness with a test shave?

Yeah I'm new to straight shaving

I have flattened my stones with corse wet and dry "wet paper on a flat kitchen worktop"

I have three stones
Dragons tongue is my finishing stone .


I have a double a leather and canvas strop .

I started with a small number on the strop tested on arm hair then increased the number .

I use my stones until I can't feel the blade drag anymore then move up to the finer grade stone .

If you have a well established apex the edge should last a while, even for a new shaver. There is a variety of ways to approach this. The most simple solution would be if to use could get together with an experienced member. There are a few old threads with very good pictures about what to look at with a loupe. Most of my honing is done with a loupe to see where I’m at and when to progress. What are you using for a loupe?

Don't have loupe.

Any recommendations?

Will Any cheap loupe will do?

Is there a minimum magnafaction.

A 30 or 60X will do well. The more you pay for a loupe the better the optics. There are quite a few people with cheap loupes that have minimal distortion along the edges and good clarity. A built in LED light is handy but not essential. Most of the rest of the sharp test involve needing to develop knowing when you have arrived through experience and can be very frustrating for new people.

Originally Posted by RezDog

A 30 or 60X will do well. The more you pay for a loupe the better the optics. There are quite a few people with cheap loupes that have minimal distortion along the edges and good clarity. A built in LED light is handy but not essential. Most of the rest of the sharp test involve needing to develop knowing when you have arrived through experience and can be very frustrating for new people.

This is the one I find gives me the best view of the edge. It is a little awkward to manipulate, but it does provide a really clear image and is relatively cheap at Amazon.

Originally Posted by DZEC

This is the one I find gives me the best view of the edge. It is a little awkward to manipulate, but it does provide a really clear image and is relatively cheap at Amazon.

I have that mini-microscope as well and like it too. As far a lighted loupes, there is no reason not to have one as you can get a cheap one for about $6 on Ebay that does the job.

After while you will probably find yourself not using these things unless you know the blade has a pit or some other problem. Initially they are very good to have but you still have to learn to interpret certain things.

If the edge won’t last then you are possibly rolling the edge while stropping or the bevel is not set, hone, shave, repeat..... you might also call consider sending it out to be honed so you have a baseline to go off of.