Thread: learning to strop

hi everyone,

i just joined this forum because i find myself on it everyday. i've been wet shaving for only about a month or two, starting with a Parker SR1 Stainless Steel Straight Edge Razor. it's a cheap $20 shavette with disposable blades. i recently bought a Dovo "Special" Imitation Tortoiseshell, Full Hollow Carbon Steel, 5/8" and i just got a chance to use it. however, it didn't seem sharp enough when i was using it even though it was factory honed. i got a Dovo Russian Leather Strop, 15 3/4" with it as well. one side is soft leather and the other side is a linen type material. i know i'm supposed to use the leather side, but do i use the linen side too? thanks in advance to everyone who provides assistance.


Dovo Russian Leather Strop, 15 3/4":
Dovo Russian Leather Strop, 15 3/4"
- in the description it explains the linen side

also, let me know if i need to be more specific in any of my descriptions; i'm new here.

Welcome... a factory honed Dovo will benefit from a professional hone (I speak from experience) the strop will help you keep the blade in good shape, you will use both sides, start with the linen and finish with the leather. You will find plenty of information on the Wiki (the link is at the top of the page)... and feel free to ask more questions, that is how most of us learn.

Your factory-honed Dovo is not ready to shave. You need to get it honed by a professional. I suggest sending it to Straight Razor Designs. It costs about $20.
When they come from the factory they are sharpened enough to form a bevel on the blade, but not sharp enough to shave. I started shaving with a factory sharpened Dovo, and it nearly tore my face off, until I got it properly sharpened.
While it's away getting sharpened, check out the wiki on this site for tips on stropping and maintaining a good edge. It can be done pretty cheaply, check the wiki. You'll need to send it off to get it honed about twice a year, unless you learn to hone it yourself. It's not rocket science, but it does take some practice to develop the feel for it. I recommend getting a cheapo blade from ebay to practice with while you learn.

thanks for the advice.
yeah, i noticed that there was a lot of pulling and tugging when i was shaving with it for the first time. also, when i finished shaving, i realized i didn't cut myself at all; so i guess the razor isn't sharp enough after all.
is it absolutely necessary to get it professionally honed before using the razor again?

Yeah. Unless you bought it from a reputable dealer like SRD or Classic Shaving (and payed extra for the honing from CS) then it's never going to shave well until it has a proper edge on it. Believe me, it's worth the wait. And again, while you're waiting for it to come back (it'll take about a week in the mail, I guess) check out the wiki on stropping and razor use, so that you hold it at the proper angle while shaving and so you also don't roll the edge over while stropping and dull your newly sharpened razor.
You have a very nice razor, but it will never shave well until you get it sharpened.

Ummm...yes.
I would not shave with that until it has been honed. If you post your location you may be able to find someone close by to minimize time away from your new razor as well as a mentor to assist you with technique.

Everyone hear has the right advise! I have a dovo 5/8 too, and a pro hone is the way to go. I got mine honed about 6 months ago, and it still shaves great! Spend the $20 and save yourself a lot of time and pain. I also purchased a barbers hone on the classifieds here to keep my razor in check, and I'm sure it's already paid for itself. I reccomend doing the same if this is something you plan on doing for more than a few months. Good luck!

You have a great razor, but it MUST be properly honed to give you the service you deserve. As to the strop, also a great one. Practice on it with a butter knife, yes a butter knife. That way you will avoid cutting it as you learn how to properly use a strop. Hand rub your leather strop brfore you put a blade to it. The friction of your hand will raise the temperature of the leather and will increase its draw. Take your time as you strop. And have fun doing all of this.

thanks for all the advice. i called a local Art of Shaving store this afternoon in north jersey, where i'm from. they don't hone razors there, but they recommended i go to Henry Westpfal & Co in chelsea, nyc to get it professionally sharpened. i'll probably give them a call tomorrow to see how quick they can do it.
has anyone ever had their razor sharpened at Henry Westpfal?

YouTube - straight razor stropping

This vid helped me a lot!