Thread: Sharpness vs. a shavette, and other blade questions

Okay, I'm still having problems getting my new (honed on purchase) Henckels razor sharp enough to not be "tuggy".
I suspect it's my stropping... as opposed to my beard prep, since I used the exact same beard prep when using a shavette and did not have any tugging problems.
(Is my assumption correct that a properly stropped straight should be as sharp as a shavette with a new blade?)
So let's say, I've done my stropping, I feel the blade... it feels sharp and catchy on my thumb. I try it against some forearm hairs, and they pop right off. I try shaving, and it tugs.
Do I wait before stropping again? Do I just dry the razor off and start stropping once more?
Do I still do canvas first, then leather?
I'm trying my best to strop:
a) with an x-pattern, to cover the entire blade
b) flipping the blade along the spine so I don't round the edge
c) holding the leather firm enough so that it doesn't "wow" around the blade

I fear that either I'm not going fast enough, or that I'm not doing enough laps on either the canvas or leather.
(I have a hard time keeping count while still focusing on technique)

Any sage words of wisdom?
I'm about to give it another go, hopefully I will report back with more success.

My advice would be yes the stropping is the problem. And forgive my spelling errors!

1. If the strop is new and a little stiff rub some moistureiser or linseed oil into it via heavy smooth glass bottle on a flat surface, this will make the leather supple and soft and easier to work with.
2. Then hang your strop up and use the canavs side for only 20 strokes eg full laps and use no pressure on the blade just let it glide over it
3. Then strop the razor over the leather side for at least 50 laps
4. Dont touch the blade edge as rubbing it upon the thumb will take the delicate edge right off it yes skin may appear soft but its like a coarse rock to such a delicate microscopic edge.
5. Check the blade under magnification of say ten or more as you may have little chips due to the stropping technique

If this is the case it will require honeing out.

Let us know how you get on and if you dont understand what i mean.

Yep, the strop is quite new and stiff. I'll condition it up, and have at it again. =D
Thanks for the response.

Originally Posted by KCavity

(Is my assumption correct that a properly stropped straight should be as sharp as a shavette with a new blade?)

isn't there a somewhat wide degree of sharpness among DE blades?
i don't think a well shaving straight razor needs to be as sharp as a typical DE blade, but yeah they can be as sharp as those if that's what you want.

stropping is rather important with a straight.

i guess now you know why i don't like new strops and virtually all of mine are vintage.