Thread: Different grips ok? Hold off on stropping?

My first razor came in the mail today and I couldn't wait to get in a quick shave. The first issue to be resolved was the grip. I opened Dr. Mosses' pdf file to study the pictures. First 3 fingers on top of the spline, pinkie on tang, and thumb underneath. It sure felt awkward at first buy I managed to perservere and had a respectible first shave using both hands. I then looked at Lynn's video again to get some pointers. Wouldn't you know it -- first finger on the spline and the remaining 3 fingers on the tang side of the pivot. My interpretation is there must not be 1 correct grip for the last 3 fingers.

The second issue is that I'll not receive my strops from Tony for about a week. I'm thinking of using the razor daily without stropping (the edge is great now due to Bob Keyes selling me a shave ready blade) rather than risking ruining the edge on an old belt that is only 1 1/2 inches wide. I also have 2 more blades on the way so that I may be able to rest the current razor in a few days.

1 - there is no ONLY way to hold the razor. for me i use 2 fingers in front and the rest behind. its whatever feels right.

2 - the excitement is always there to start right off. if you had a shave without stropping it, all the more power to you. just know that it will be alot better when you get to strop it first!! no need to rush things. take it slow, wait for your strop and do it right. enjoy it ..don't rush it!

~J

Whatever is comfy, I'm using two fingers front.

Gary

Don't risk dulling your razor by not stropping .

Is your 1 1/2 inch wide leather belt solid leather and not sewn leather? If so use it. Just pull the belt tight, go slow, and remember the x-pattern.

Do you have a shoe repair shop or leather supply store nearby?

You can generally get a 3 inch wide by 36 inch long piece of heavy leather from a shoe repair shop or leather supply store for around 3 to 6 bucks. If they have any scraps they usually sell it by the pound and you can ask them to provide something that will allow you to cut at least a 2" to 2.5" wide piece by 20 inches.

FIND something. unless you live way out in the country you should be able to find something. Even if you do live in the country, is there a tack shop nearby that repairs saddles? See what kind of scrap they have.

treat your scrap leather with something like lexol, or armor all. Some people use saddle soap or mink oil. run some shoe string through one end, wrap the shoe string around a door knob and strop carefully.

Originally Posted by schatz

I opened Dr. Mosses' pdf file to study the pictures

I'm a two finger kind of guy as well. BTW what is this PDF file?

Schatz,
Your strops are being mailed tomorrow. I'll bet they will be in Saturday's mail if not there already on Friday.

Thanks,
Tony

The pdf file (adobe acrobat format), which is a book by Dr Moss on straight edge shaving, can be found at:

http://www.shavemyface.com/downloads...azor-Shave.pdf

I guess I can wait until Friday or Saturday to play with my new toy again - but it will be hard. lol. Back to the Merkur HD with this week's derby blade for tomorrow.

Originally Posted by schatz

The pdf file (adobe acrobat format), which is a book by Dr Moss on straight edge shaving, can be found at: ...

Or here now, yes that's HERE! I've aske David to check on the link to the purchaseable hardcopy.

And I'm a full gripper kinda guy. I like to stretch my small hand half way up the spine.

X

I think you have got the message...you just gotta strop JUST BEFORE each shave!

Best of luck and keep us posted on how your doing.