Thread: Am I going in the right direction?

Originally Posted by mattnat

Hey all
I'm new to straights having found my grandfather's krop.

What do you all think of the science of sharp easy straight razor honing protocol?

How straight should a hanging strop be? I'm thinking about the deflection of this strop from downward pressure of the blade.

How much blade pressure do you all use when stopping?

Thanks!
Matt

Hello Matt, I have no idea about the easy honing protocol.
Send a razor to Glen (gssixguns) so you know what you are after as far as edge goes.
As far as stropping - a little pressure, If you are holding it taught, say tight against your hip then the weight of your hand placed on it near the middle at rest is about right for deflextion no more than that, less is ok.
You will get some deflextion. Keep it taught and keep the razor flat.

I will add. When learning to strop to avoid cuts. Start with the razor spine on the strop - edge up near the hand holding the strop.
Roll the razor down flat as it starts to move forward when you get to the other end the razor should have the edge up again and the spine still contacting the strop. Spine never leaves the strop. If you practice with the edge starting and finishing with the edge up and the spine still touching just before rolling over it will come quickly. Coming back down is the same thing - roll the razor down flat as you start to move again till you aproach the hand holding the strop and finish with the edge up.

Good luck

I would get a cheapie that will actually strop and use it for as long as you can

I chopped my first one up pretty good

Hi and welcome aboard. I will echo sending your razor outfor honing. Dont even consider it if its sentimental. Myfirst is useless after learning how to hone. Its easy to take too much metal or not where you want it.

Hey all, a few updates. I'm using a the plum; dophin street. razor to learn to hone and I managed to get it to treetop arm hair silently so I'm well pleased with that. HTT pass nicely as well. Using a much lighter touch on the stone and strop as well as some x strokes were the big changes that all continue to use. I'm using a layer of tape as well.
As far as shaving goes the low angles of attack are quite comfortable whereas 30 ish degrees seems to feel quite harsh. Hard to manage tightening skin as well as moving the blade at the same time. Trying to stop bleeding makes me think of how bad I thought the toilet paper looked on dad when I was a kid.
The razor has a smile and I'm going to work on getting the heel sharper. Also the horn skales are bent. If I take it apart is there a bearing or just pin and washers to replace?

Thanks all!
Matt

Well, that's a lot.

I'm glad that you are having success. I can see that you are analytical and diligent; two traits that will serve you well in this endeavor. I would encourage you to take your time so that the lessons you learn are not lost in the progress. But, you know you better than I so if you can absorb it all then more power to you. At the risk of reopening a contentious topic I'll say that I'm glad you are taping the spine. To me it's a no brainier but whatever.

I never used a protractor but 30° seems a little steep to me. The rule of thumb is twice the thickness of the spine but I think that is a little subjective. We all have to find our own comfort level. I think I shave at a more acute angle than that but I couldn't put a number on it. As far as coordinating skin stretching, it just takes time to get the coordination for that and other skills. Be patient, it will come. The bleeding will subside some also but the fact that you mention it rather in passing tells.me.that you are going to push through it and be successful. Keep it up.

I have never seen a bearing or bushing on a pin but if there is one under there please post pictures as I'm sure I am not the only one who would like to see it. Not trying to be a smart Alec; you just don't ever know what you are going to find if you go digging.

As Paul mentioned, stretching the skin is less of a problem if you take the whole process slowly and deliberately and with a light touch. Think of shaving the lather rather than shaving the skin. Your shaving speed will increase as you develop muscle memory and learn your beard over time.

I find I change the angle of attack on different parts of my face. Under 30° on my cheeks and much shallower on my neck. The shallower angle is certainly more comfortable and if the razor is really sharp, it will still take the hairs off easily.

Thanks for the replies. About Sending a razor to get it sharpened, I've always had a hard time waiting. Also I I got interested in sharpening whatever I could find then found the razor. So I guess I got interested in shaving because it depends on sharpening skills.

Matt

Welcome. There are a few of us scattered around the province. I sent you a PM.

This thread makes me happy, keep at it Matt, pretty soon you'll be shaving like the best. Cheers
-Laramie-

Originally Posted by yondermountain91

This thread makes me happy, keep at it Matt, pretty soon you'll be shaving like the best. Cheers
-Laramie-

Funny, its almost always the same, too.

They come in with great expectations, then learn the hard truth. Some endure, others disappear. Its nice to be able to help those that stick it out, and become part of the community.

Us old folk ain't gonna be here forever, we need those, to carry the torch when were gone.