My stropping technique sucks!

I recently purchased a Boker Edelweiss from SRD and it shaved great until I stropped it about 3 or 4 times. It now catches the wiskers, drags, and cuts when I shave. I hate to send it out for a honing when I have only had it for 2 weeks! By using some CrOx on the back side of the fabric I have been able to make some minor improvements but not enough that I want to complete a shave with it. This morning I switched over to my Edwin Jagger DE razor, popped in a Feather blade and was in shaving nirvana wondering why I torture myself with attempting to learn the SE!

I have a leather strop (purchased from SRD) and have watched every video I could find (the reasonable ones that is) on YouTube. I can't figure out what I am doing wrong though I know it is buried somewhere in my stropping technique. I am prepping the same way I did for those first few (very few) wonderful shaves. I am using the same cream and everything. I realize most on the forum have gone through similar experiences so maybe someone will hit right button with my problem.

Jim

Give this a look! With that said, if you've 'turned' the edge, it'll need re-honed! With all of this said, watch the vid and then give it a go!

straight razor stropping.wmv - YouTube

Good Luck and Welcome to the most friendly, helpful and informative site on the web!

Excellent video by the master himself, he really does a good job explaining the proper stropping technique.

One thing I picked up when I first started was lay your strop on a flat surface like a table or counter top until you learn proper technique. Another helpful hint is practice with a butter knife on the hanging strop until proper technique is learned. This will also help build muscle memory.

Hopefully between these tips and Lynn's video all will come together, it does take time and practice. If at any time you need help this is the place for it, that's what we are here for, to share info. Good luck!

JG. Strops still run screaming when I enter a room. The only reason some of them survive is so they can get revenge. I was terrible at stropping. 'Dulled my edges, played Freddy Kruger - mutilating 5 strops. All for one stupid little detail. If good stropping isn't bringing the edge back - I'm afraid its the rockpile for that one. PM me if you'd like a hand with it. It'll come. I love the idea of laying the strop on a hard, flat surface until the feel is confident, automatic. It'll come.

Jg- one noobie to another, make sure your strop is attached at waist high so your strop is "flat". Its way easier to control everything. That or put it on a table.

Even more important than a flat strop for a new guy, I think, is to go SLOW!
You don't need fast strokes to effectively strop your razor. Go slow and watch what you're doing until you have a good feel for it. Gradually speed up as you are more comfortable.

I still have days when for reasons unknown my stropping doesn't feel right. The first thing I do when that happens is to do a few very slow strokes on the strop and kind of "recalibrate" my feel for it, if that makes sense.

jgthomas11,

The best stropping videos I have seen are by Sham (hi_bud_gl) & Mr Davies.

Sham

straight razor stropping - YouTube

Mr Davies

MrAfdavis - YouTube

Somebody described the finger action when flipping the razor as being similar to turning say the tuning knob of a radio. I found that really helpful :)

Good luck :)

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

What HNSN said about 'recalibrating' makes absolute sense...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cudarunner

Give this a look! With that said, if you've 'turned' the edge, it'll need re-honed! With all of this said, watch the vid and then give it a go!



Good Luck and Welcome to the most friendly, helpful and informative site on the web!

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Thanks, cudarunner! Excellent video! I may have already picked up on one of my problems.

Jim

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pinklather

JG. Strops still run screaming when I enter a room. The only reason some of them survive is so they can get revenge. I was terrible at stropping. 'Dulled my edges, played Freddy Kruger - mutilating 5 strops. All for one stupid little detail. If good stropping isn't bringing the edge back - I'm afraid its the rockpile for that one. PM me if you'd like a hand with it. It'll come. I love the idea of laying the strop on a hard, flat surface until the feel is confident, automatic. It'll come.

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Thank you ever so much for the offer! I realize I will probably get the hang of it eventually but it is very frustrating in the mean time.

Jim