Printable View
Just before I make a mess of the edge on my new razor, which side of the strop do I use?
I have a Dovo Prima Rindleder (there is no canvas on the rear), one side has the Dovo name and prima rindleder embossed on the leather and is very smooth face and the other side is slightly rougher. I assume I use the smooth name embossed face to strop on?
Just want to be sure and try to get the basics right. My razor has been honed and stropped so won't need to be stropped until after my first shave.
That sounds about correct.
Scott
Smooth side. My advice is start off slow. Don't know what it'll be like for you but I found the flip on the spine very difficult to teach my hand. When I increased speed I ended up nicking the strop. Took about three months and then, one day to the next, I got the speed up and it all felt natural. What was a ten or so minute task suddenly became three minute's worth, linen and leather. I wish you good shaving.
Thanks Scott.
Is it best to not shave for a couple of days so there is some stubble for the blade to work on? Also, how many passes on the strop would members recommend. It is a Wapi and has been delivered stropped and honed?
I am also expecting a cheaper razor off e-bay to practice stropping with. Should I wait and practice on the e-bay razor before I have a go at the Wapi?
Thanks for any advice
Well, no stubble- no need to shave, yes? But if you have stubble every day, daily shaving is up to you. For some, especially the less practiced shavers, daily shaving can cause irritation and it may be a good practice to skip a day if practical. For more experienced shavers, a daily shave may not be a problem at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by Smalleyboy
How many passes? The ancient tomes of barber wisdom (ok, the standard text books) teach a method to guage this pretty darn accurately. It'll take some practice to get good at it, but it's very simple. The Thumb Pad Test. Instead of describing it again for the xxxxxth time (sorry), I'll let others do it, or, go find it in the archives.
Others just recommend shaving. But if you don't want to go through the process of stropping, lathering, shaving (not quite there), re-stropping, re-lathering (cause the lather is dried up by now), re-shaving (darn it, still not there), re-re-stropping, re-re-you know, etc, etc, ad nauseum...
I'd highly recommend learning, and using, the TPT.
If you want to learn stropping movements with a cheaper (and even duller, so you won't nick your strop) razor, that's a perfectly good idea.
Scott
Thanks again Scott.
I have just read about the TPT. I use a DE currently so I have a good idea what a sharp blade such as an Israeli feels like. It will all slot into place once I start stroppimg.
I have been handling my straight and realised that I have overlooked one major complexity, using the razor in both hands. Currently with the DE, I can get an excellent shave just using my dominant hand for both sides of my face. Do most people switch hands when they shave the other side of the face, or is possible to use the dominant hand for both sides with a straight?