Thread: Stropping for your own protection

Fortunately I got into the habit of stropping before and after every shave, but last night I found one of the hidden benefits of this practice.

Last night I went to have a quick shave, and grabbed the razor next in the rotation (only two), cleaned off the oil, ran it under some hot water and then took it to the strop. Even though I try to strop very lightly, my first pass almost destroyed my strop by scraping off the surface. After looking at the razor very closely. I saw that the edge seemed to be folded over. Fortunately I was able to use my backup but was pretty annoyed that somehow I must have banged the edge of my favorite blade. Although after some thought I shudder to think what it would have done to my face if I hadnt stropped first. Assumably since the edge was folded, the sharp edge would never be pointing to my face, but it was also left with a number of nicks which could have been pretty nasty.

After grumbling about for a bit, my wife finally admitted that she had used it to cut a plastic strap off a delivery. Even though I had told her numerous times that the edge was delicate and it was never to be used for anything other than shaving. She thought I must have been exagerating and assumed I would never notice. Hmmm.
Needless to say I now need to get a new strop and repair my razor.
I have a japanese 1k and 6k waterstone and I had a belgian Yellow coticule on order which should arrive some time this week. Would this be ok to bring the edge back or do I really need to send it off to be professionally honed?

Any thoughts appreciated.

Sorry about the bad luck, but Im pretty sure you can save that strop. Maybe one of the guys can tell you how to resurface it. I know it can be done to vintage restorations.

I think unless you are very comfortable with your own skills, you should send it out to be honed. I think the procedure for strop resurfacing involves a pumice stone and some fine sandpaper, but I have never done it myself. One of the stop pros will chime in I'm sure to help you out.

Other than that... I'm glad my fiance is afraid to even handle my straight razors. Must be something about that mythical sharpness and legends of cut throats.

SSSHHHHHHHhhhhh!
Dont let the wife know that! To be honest I was more concerned about the blade. I have been looking for a good excuse to get a new strop for a while as it is a pretty nasty imitation leather.. or at least really poor leather strop that I got when I first began that came free with my razor. At least now I can get a half decent one and not have to explain my purchase.

So basically... in strop terms its a net gain for you.

Well played my friend.

Yea, its all coming up roses.
Plus she is feeling so guilty that there is a good chance nagging will be down to a minimum for a day or two.
I wonder if I had played it up a bit I could have gotten a new razor out of it? Well maybe that is hoping for too much.

Well now I just have to find That Platinum plated Latigo Strop with embedded emeralds that is essential to rectify the situation.

Wonder if Rolex makes a strop/clock?

Originally Posted by sillyfishyboy

After grumbling about for a bit, my wife finally admitted that she had used it to cut a plastic strap off a delivery. Even though I had told her numerous times that the edge was delicate and it was never to be used for anything other than shaving. She thought I must have been exagerating and assumed I would never notice. Hmmm.

As far as the wife ..... the rule of thumb, I am told, is that when you beat her the stick should be of a diameter no larger than your thumb. No jury will convict you.

As far as correcting the razor if it was me I would maybe back hone a few strokes on that 6k and then do a few more edge leading strokes and do the TPT to see what it felt like. Maybe strop on linen 50 strokes and feel it again. Steve over at The Invisible Edge is a good honer and in the UK if worse comes to worse and you have to send it out.
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I'm sure the razor is destroyed too, and that you need a Mastro Livi custom to replace it, since it was your best shaver.

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