Very true as i have found i'm getting ther now and enjoying every minute. cheers gary.
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Very true as i have found i'm getting ther now and enjoying every minute. cheers gary.
To answer your question about stropping. The general consensus is to strop for 30-60 roundtrip laps just before each shave, not the nite before.Some people will also strop after the shave, but that is your choice.
When you strop be sure and keep both the spine and the edge in contact with the leather. Do not lift the spine off the leather! Remember that you roll the razor over on the spine, not the edge.
Is there a stropping video out there for this guy?
Welcome to the SRP!:)
I was trying to find that video of Scott (HoneRight) stropping but the old link to it is now empty. I really learned a lot from it, it shows the way I still strop today. Perhaps Scott could put it back up.
The only stropping Video I could find is from the same guy who did the hone on a brick one, I didn't like him.
I submitted the video to Google (too bad I can't just upload it here...) and it should go live in several hours. Will post the link when it's available.
Scott
Several hours?? It went live almost immediately. Go figure...
Anyways, here it is Stropping video
Please forgive the stocking feet (or foot) :o
Scott
I can finally hone a razor, but I must confess, that test shave is still a breath of relief when I reach up to see if the blade actually shaved...each time is a sigh of relief and a smile.
It does take a while to find your routine. I am still finding ways to scrunch my face or stretch my skin better.
I just love this stuff.
The theory was probably derived from experience. The edge is better when you strop just before the shave.
The reasoning is that since steel immediately starts to oxidise/rust from exposure to water and air then the stropping removes the oxidation.
The razors may also have leftover shaving soap, skin cells, oils etc from the prior shave that need to be removed.
The major reason is to "align the edge", make it straight, remove any deformity in the edge caused by the prior shave.
Their is also the argument that when the steel was smelted,forged and ground that stresses are introduced that give the steel grains a direction. These stressor's are largely reduced during the heat treating and tempering process but are not removed. Since the edge is so thin the stress can cause the edge to move, possibly at the grain level. If you want to visualize this think of the edge as being "wavy" and the stropping temporarily straightens the edge.
There, thats the theory.
So, must a person strop just before each shave? No, but you will much prefer the shave when you do.