How do I know if I have messed up my razor

I have read several times that beginners who get a razor honed and are not getting good results are more than likely having problems with technique than problems with the equipment. How do I know if I have messed up my razor through bad stropping?

I try not to be too 'scientific' with this whole going and stropping thing. Guess you can use magnifying lens and the like. But What I try to do is be symptom based in my corrections. If it's not shaving 'adequately' I just stop and use my favorite like Barber Hone. A little Keen Kutter . No more than 10 on it and if if sharpens - great. If not, I just use a different razor.
Leave it to redo with alittle paste later or a little rehoning.

Find someone within driving distance to you that is a straight shaver. Two things can be accomplished here: Meet someone with a like interest & more than likely they are to the stage of touching up a razor if it needs a bit of help. It's a good idea to have two razors (shave ready) as you can have one for backup or to use while the other is being honed/touched up.

When we say the words "Shave Test" it doesn't mean a full shave it means exactly what we type..
Just like every other "Test for Sharpness" there is a specialized final test..

You have to set up the Perfect prep, as best as you possibly can get a great lather on a well soaked face, then taking as perfect a stroke as you can with the best angle that you can accomplish start at the strong side sideburn and do as perfect a stroke(s) as you can to the jaw line..

That is a "Shave Test" it should almost suprise you with how easy it cuts,, now try the other side,

If this does not cut well STOP !!! Either you are doing something drastically wrong or the edge needs help..There is no sense in going farther until you solve the issue


This is a series of tips I do each month for Beginners, you will find tips like the one I just wrote in there and quite a few more

Straight Razor Place - Monthly Beginner's Tips