Thread: Blunted after three shaves?

I've recently started using a straight razor and have now tried five shaves. The first three seemed to go well, giving a reasonable WTG shave in easy areas, but on the 4th and 5th the blade appears to be somewhat less effective at cutting than it was; it keeps catching on hairs and does not shave very close. Of course, it could be that my technique is still rather erratic and these last two shaves have just been bad ones, although all have had the same preparation.

But, I have found stropping rather difficult and find that I can only do it slowly, and probably with too much pressure. I've managed to put a few nicks in the (luckily only US$12) strop as well. Is it possible that such ineptness could have been able to blunt the razor in such a short time? The razor was honed before being supplied to me, but it is of a certain brand reported on this board as being of variable quality.

You've probably rolled the edge a little, through poor stropping technique, & damage done when you've caused those nicks.
There's a chance you can remedy it simply by stropping it correctly.

Take it a little slower, & concentrate on the action over the speed. Once muscle memory has built up it'll get easier. Soon enough the speed will follow.

If you can't strop it out, you'll have to get it honed. My offer still stands if you need it.

The trouble is, if you do carry on stropping as you are, it'll just need doing again.

Thanks again - I may have to take you up on your offer. It would be useful if you could take a look at my stropping technique and offer suggestions on how to improve it. If I can (still waiting for confirmation on something else) I will turn up to the London event as well.

Ok mate. It's chaotic here right now. We're moving house to Middle Barton a week Monday, so we can sort something out after that if needs be.

Ben is right.
Try to learn stropping first.
Doesn't matter how many times you will get your blade shave ready you will dull it after couple shaves
check stropping videos there is many helpful ones out there.
hope this helps.

This is my stropping (teaching video it may help just try it out)


YouTube - straight razor stropping