Thread: newbie with few questions

Originally Posted by JasonMurph

Well, I've tried several of the tests. It doesnt cut a hair at all if I try to cut a hair with the razor, it really drags no matter where and how I seem to shave. I think I may have dulled the blade by stropping too hard and by doing a stupid thing and using the blade to cut the soap up into my wooden dish. Thats why I'm hoping to find someone local that can confirm this and hone it if necessary.

I don't think it is possible to dull a razor by stropping too hard as you say. I've put a lot of pressure on my blades and they don't dull. Make sure the strop is pulled out fairly firmly (minimal sag).

It may be that the razor was not properly honed to begin with. Or the razor was honed correctly, but not stropped enough (easily determined with the thumb pad test). Or, again, your shaving/ prep technique needs practice.

It's your call if you want to send the razor out for honing. But it might just be that you didn't strop the razor enough.

Oh yes - don't use your razor to cut anything but whiskers. I'd even try stropping after cutting the soap (or did you "shave" the soap into the bowl?). Unless the soap was super hard (soap is usually softer than beard hair) I'd be surprised if much, or any, damage occurred that a strop couldn't fix. Or did you use your razor like a cleaver and chop up your soap?