Thread: A few shaves in

I have a DOVO that is now able to "chop in half" a hair dropped on it, and it sometimes makes a ping sound, and sometimes doesn't. It's amazing how sharp it is.

I purchased a HART STEEL 6/8 razor and used it right out of the box (per suggestion). It wasn't able to pass the hanging hair test (yet) It is a very nice razor. It shaved me really well, and I decided to go for the full face shave with it (first ever attempt). I have a mustache, so I haven't ever attempted that area.

The chin... Well, I used short slow strokes, and I managed to leave two cuts under my chin, as well as a few whiskers. I think this is a pretty tough area to do for me.

I have been teaching my non-dominant hand to do half of the work while I learn. I have actually been very successfull with all of this new experience - due to all of the tons of info found on SRP!

I think my stropping is pretty good, I am doing about 40-60 full strops before each shave. I use the fabric back about 10 times first, then the leather for 40-60, then a few more fabric passes. It is an Illinois 827 model. I bought an expensive one right off the bat, but, havent nicked it yet. lol.

I have to admit, I keep having to go back to the DE to finish up my chin, then I use it for some XTG passes. I'm getting a cleaner, closer shave all the time. I think I'm really beginning to like this new art.

Question - Can you mess up a blade from over stropping? I understand pressing to hard on the blade, can put a wire edge on the blade and whatnot, but, if you have the correct technique down, can you over strop? I don't use any pastes or anything. I'm just wondering if 60 passes is too much? too little? test and see?

If you are stropping correctly, you cannot overstrop. It just that at some point you are wasting your time. I have always used 60 as a benchmark but I am sure you can get by with less. All unpasted stropping does is straighten the edge - it does not sharpen (remove metal).

chris

I do 20 laps on the fabric, and then 60 on the leather. someone pointed out that although the fabric may not refine the edge all that much, it does clean away micro crud and keep it from getting stuck on your leather strop.

As for the 60 laps on leather. I used to do 50, but one day I tried 60 and the edge just felt much more keen. It could be in my mind, but I've stuck with 60 since, and haven't had a problem.

Congrats!

It sounds like you are on the right track!

Dont worry about the HHT (or any of the other tests for that matter), the only true test is the shave test. If it shaves good, it is good! It sounds like you are getting good shaves from your razor, so you have a good edge.

The chin is a tricky area. Just take your time, dont be in a rush to get it down and you will get the results you want in the end. Watch your angles in this area, as they are always changing.

Great work on your non-dominant hand! Thats hard to get down! Well done!

It sounds like your stropping is going well. The only thing I would change is to finish on the leather. Do your material strokes first, then move to the leather.

For reference, I do 25 material and 50-60 leather before each shave, then 10 material and 15-20 leather afterwards. The stropping afterwards cleans any microgunk off the edge and makes sure it is dry. This has worked very well for me in keeping my edges in good shape.

You'll be pleased to hear that you cant overstrop! You are correct that too much pressure can bend an edge out of shape though. As long as your technique is good, no problem! 60 strokes beforehand is, IMO, about right and should make sure you have a tip top edge.

Stropping doesnt actually remove any metal, it just realigns the edge, so its not possible to overdo it.

It sounds to me like you are off to a great start and are really getting into this! Its really good to hear that you have found the site and wiki useful, it just goes to show that doing a bit of reading up before hand can make all the difference!

Well done and good luck for your continuing straight razor journey!

Like everyone else has said you can't really overstrop on leather unless of course you do thousands and thousands of strokes and even then your hand would probably get tired and you would wind up slipping and cutting your strop or damaging your razor.

I usually do about 20 strokes on linen and 60 on leather before shaving.

Yep, what they said

I wouldn't worry about the HHT unless you want to impress your friends. The only true test is the shave...