Thread: Help with My Kropp Razor

Hiya.
I've been shaving with a straight razor that uses half a disposable razor blade for about eight years now. I have been living in New Delhi for the past 4 years. I take a shave from a roadside barber about once a week that includes an invigorating head massage, but more on that in a later post. I need help:
I bought a Kropp razor on ebayUK form a guy that cleared out his 90 year old dad's attic and found a bagful of razors. The one I bought was never used and is in excellent condition. However I have yet to shave with it. I gave it the forearm test and then stropped it with a new cheap stop (again ebay). I spent a considerable amount of time and attention on it, but when I try stroke on my cheek, it does not feel razor sharp(pardon the pun). What can I do? I do not have appropriate graded honing stones. Just one in my cutlery drawer for knives. I cannot send it to a honing master here in India as I don't know or am not willing to trust them with me Kropp. Any pointers would be muchly appreciated.

regards
Buji

I would imagine there are many traditional barbers using straight razors in Indian, just ask around, I've probably restored more Sheffield Kropp razors than any other brand great shavers, I call them the Bic razor of their day very common razor in the UK. PS if you lived a bit closer I would hone the razor for you India's a bit far though.

Jamie

I have read many posts speaking about wet shaving still being very common in India. Start with your Roadside Barber and just strike up a conversation about how they keep their razors ".. so sharp.." and let the resulting information be your guide. It could be such a common thing that many know how to properly hone there. And, IIRC it is possible to effectively hone using just one stone like a Barber's Hone. You are probably surrounded by a wealth of skill and knowledge!

Thanks Jamie. Might take you up on that offer when I get to Oxford come Christmas time.
regards
annesh

Cheers Prahston.
all the barbers I've been to around India from north to south use half a disposable razor. No barber I've spoken with uses sold steel anymore. I guess it's to do with the high turnover of customers and hygiene and infection control. My cobbler attempted to sharper my Opinel No. 6 pocket knife on a slab of slurried slate that he uses for his tools. Jeez Louise! did he leave ugly scratches on the blade. Mind you the blade was sharp but he completely buggered the look.

Your cobbler may be some one you talk to about a good strop. Here in the US I use a older gentlemen with a very small shop to repair my old strops and other leather goods. They are sometimes very keen on showing off their skills.