Thread: I need help with stropping

I have the strop, and the paste. I wouldn't go for either, anymore. Another thing that's probably "ruined" your edge for now: "I've used [...] hard pressure". A razor edge is very, very sensitive. Applying pressure to a razor when stropping, especially when the razor is not absolutely flat on the strop, will inevitably round - and thereby dull - the edge.

Now, I know that some people like small strops, but I don't. Add to that that the Dovo red is "aggressive" (cf Finishing Pastes - Straight Razor Place Wiki), chances are you will end up with a wire edge quickly. Mind you, I'm not saying this combination cannot be used at all (actually, I do, and it works), but IMHO you will need a regular strop with unpasted linen/cotton/webbing.

Since the paste cannot be sensibly removed, I'd recommend getting a new strop, preferably bigger, like one from Tony Miller or Straight Razor Designs. We have some reviews available: Strop Reviews - Straight Razor Place Forums.

Good luck,
Robin

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

I have the strop, and the paste. I wouldn't go for either, anymore. Another thing that's probably "ruined" your edge for now: "I've used [...] hard pressure". A razor edge is very, very sensitive. Applying pressure to a razor when stropping, especially when the razor is not absolutely flat on the strop, will inevitably round - and thereby dull - the edge.

Now, I know that some people like small strops, but I don't. Add to that that the Dovo red is "aggressive" (cf Finishing Pastes - Straight Razor Place Wiki), chances are you will end up with a wire edge quickly. Mind you, I'm not saying this combination cannot be used at all (actually, I do, and it works), but IMHO you will need a regular strop with unpasted linen/cotton/webbing.

Since the paste cannot be sensibly removed, I'd recommend getting a new strop, preferably bigger, like one from Tony Miller or Straight Razor Designs. We have some reviews available: Strop Reviews - Straight Razor Place Forums.

Good luck,
Robin

I have thought about this very thing. I think I am going to send it out to be honed again and purchase a new strop.

Joscobo,

As a side point I would watch the angle of the blade against the face when shaving.

I found I was using too large an angle with full hollow blades, and that removed the edges keeness very, very quicky, and also caused some micro-chipping; since moving to a shallower angle (one spine width) all was well again.

Best regards

Russ

Try this:

1) stop stroping on the strop.
2) strop on newspaper over glass plate for 100 laps, see how it goes
3) if step 2 hadn't got you to a nice shave, try 100 more laps.

When you decide to try stroping on the strop again make sure the strop is level with the ground (it's a lot harder to strop right if the strop is not paralel to the ground).

just my US$0,02