Originally Posted by
mjhammer
The main things preached to me when I started were: Prep, pressure and angle.
Now for the stropping.. I have a routine I use to make sure I don't ruin the edge of my razors while trying to learn proper stropping technique. Lay it on a flat surface, a table, your headboard, whatever, as long as it's flat and secure. Then I stropped my razor in a slow, easy fashion. Pre-shave I strop 30-40 on the wool (linen), then strop 50-75 on the leather. Then I shave with it.
When done shaving, after I have dried the blade and scales carefully, I run it on the strop again, but this time I do 15-20 on the wool and only 20-25 on the leather. This makes positive sure the blade EDGE is also dried and straightened. Then when that razor comes up in the rotation again, I do it all over again. This has made it a lot more consistent for me. But you have to find what works for you... but don't mess up your edge with bad stropping techniques. The shaving techniques also come better with time and practice.
Maybe you do need a wedge. I have 3 4/8's wedges and I love them all!!! They could cut down a redwood they are so sharp!! (Thanks Kelly!).
Good luck mate!! Work up to those hard spots slowly, and don't be discouraged if you don't get the results you expect immediately. It WILL come as long as you don't give up!!
Happy Shaving!!
M