Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11

Thread: Strop Issues

  1. #1
    Member FarNorthAK's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Eagle River, AK
    Posts
    47
    Thanked: 3

    Question Strop Issues

    I've been trying to examine all the parts of my straight experience, the lather, the skin stretch, hair growth direction, going slow, angle, all of that. I then noticed that as I draw my straight across the strop gaps appear. At first I thought it was my unsteady hand. So I slowed it down and it is still there!

    Could this be part of my sharpness problem? Its a new Herold Solingen strop. Could I heat it up to relax the leather? Is there a softening agent that I should be using? I do draw the blade in an X pattern, but I still see the gap.

    Let me know if any of you guys have an idea. Thanks.

  2. #2
    ---
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Posts
    1,230
    Thanked: 278

    Default

    Rolling a thick jar or bottle with hot water in it over the strop can help flatten it.

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to Rajagra For This Useful Post:

    FarNorthAK (03-03-2009)

  4. #3
    zib
    zib is offline
    Hell Razor zib's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Jacksonville, Fl.
    Posts
    5,348
    Thanked: 1217
    Blog Entries
    4

    Default

    I have the same one, is it really soft light tan leather? I haven't had any trouble with mine. I'm not sure what you mean by Gaps, Ray seems to know, try his idea, sounds good to me..I know Neetsfoot oil can be applied, and Classic Shaving has strop dressing, However, Tony Miller, Strop guy , say's it's not good to do...It's recommended that you rub your strop with the palm of you hand daily, I'm thiking the rubbing and the oils in your skin do the conditioning....Rich

  5. #4
    Just one more lap... FloorPizza's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Posts
    775
    Thanked: 142

    Default

    I think he means areas of the strop that appear to be unused, and areas that appear to be used. My strop does this, too. I don't think it's really anything to be concerned about, though.

  6. #5
    Member FarNorthAK's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Eagle River, AK
    Posts
    47
    Thanked: 3

    Default

    I'll try the hot water and a jar...I just want to try to eliminate any possible sources of error in my shave routine!! Thanks.

  7. #6
    Senior Moment Tonsor's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    NE Oregon
    Posts
    304
    Thanked: 64

    Default

    My strop did that and I rolled it with an empty wine bottle that I'd removed the label and cleaned. It took a while, but I didn't have it filled with hot water. I also rubbed the strop with my palm and still do that every day. Like I said, it took days, maybe a week to flatten my strop. It still stropped okay because I use the x-pattern. Now that it is flat, it strops great.

  8. The Following User Says Thank You to Tonsor For This Useful Post:

    FarNorthAK (03-03-2009)

  9. #7
    Senior Member AusTexShaver's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Posts
    359
    Thanked: 72

    Default

    I'm not sure what you mean by gaps. Is there any way to get and post a picture of this?

    The advice about rubbing it with a bottle or jar is good but it works best after you have applied some conditioner. I'm partial to Lexol products (cleaner and conditioner) which can be obtained cheaply at most auto parts stores. While neatsfoot or mink oil work as well it's easier with them to get a little more than you really need on the strop.

  10. #8
    Member FarNorthAK's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Eagle River, AK
    Posts
    47
    Thanked: 3

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by AusTexShaver View Post
    I'm not sure what you mean by gaps.
    There is a gap between my strop and my razor as I'm pulling it across the strop. It's intermittent as I go, for a 6" section it hits perfectly, but for the rest....not so good. I'm going to try the hot bottle tonight and see if I can get a decent shave! These dang neck whiskers are fighting back!

  11. #9
    zib
    zib is offline
    Hell Razor zib's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Jacksonville, Fl.
    Posts
    5,348
    Thanked: 1217
    Blog Entries
    4

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Tonsor View Post
    My strop did that and I rolled it with an empty wine bottle that I'd removed the label and cleaned. It took a while, but I didn't have it filled with hot water. I also rubbed the strop with my palm and still do that every day. Like I said, it took days, maybe a week to flatten my strop. It still stropped okay because I use the x-pattern. Now that it is flat, it strops great.

    +1, There ya go...

  12. #10
    zib
    zib is offline
    Hell Razor zib's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Jacksonville, Fl.
    Posts
    5,348
    Thanked: 1217
    Blog Entries
    4

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by FarNorthAK View Post
    There is a gap between my strop and my razor as I'm pulling it across the strop. It's intermittent as I go, for a 6" section it hits perfectly, but for the rest....not so good. I'm going to try the hot bottle tonight and see if I can get a decent shave! These dang neck whiskers are fighting back!
    I see now, When you strop, your razor hits a spot on the strop and it gives you different feedback, or feels like it's skipping. If the strop looks the same and feels the same, Is it your technique? Have you slowed down and seen what kind of feedback you get from the razor. Does the strop feel different in those areas when you rub your hand over it? I think rubbing the hell out of it with your hand will do the trick, try that before you go soaking it down with conditioners. Pics would be nice...Rich

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •