Thread: Signs of a dull SR and whats the best approach now

Hi,
I started shaving with my Dovo SR two months ago. And I almost thought I wasn't a rookie until this week. I got the idea the SR was getting dull so I got my loom strop and set the edge back. My thoughts were I am getting better and do I experience the SR less sharp or is it really dull. Looking at the irritation in my neck and last shave (tree deep cuts in my face) it probably should.
Are these the holy signs to start honing or can I set the edge back with a loom strop? Note is that I tried the loom strop already but I might did it to short (approx. 20 strokes each side).

Are these typical dull signs? What is the best approach; start to hone (and with what grid) or can it be restored with the loom strop. And how do I determine the edge is dull?


Thanks guys for your patience!

It sounds like your razor is probably getting dull. So it may need a honing.

A couple question first. You keep talking about your loom strop what is your loom strop treated with?

Do you currently have any hones?

Do you have a second shave ready blade?

Do you have a junk blade?

How is your stropping? Do you notice a difference in the edge before you strop and after you strop?

Thats quick.... here are my answers

My loom strop is prepared with the red paste (grinding)
I do not have any hones
I do not have a second shave ready blade
I do not have a junk blade

Regarding your stropping question. I never tried shaving without stropping in advance.

Is it dovo loom strop you have?

Is there any strop, or part of your strop, that is just plain leather? The regular stropping before a shave shouldn't be done on a pasted strop. Apologies if you already know that, it is just not clear to me from your posts.

The sign(s) that the edge needs honing generally pops up during the shave as pulling and sometimes the leaving behind of whiskers. Basically you need to know what a good edge feels like, and then anything that doesn't feel like that is an indication that the edge needs some attention.

The fact that you cut yourself is perhaps an indication that the edge is dulling - cuts mostly mean you are having to use more pressure to get the job done because the edge is dull.

I would suggest that if possible you get the razor looked at by a pro, if for no other reason than to get a benchmark. After that you can try to maintain it with your pasted strop. But be careful - a pasted strop is as good at wiping away an edge as it is at maintaining an edge: the only difference between the two is one bad stroke.

Good luck.

James.

It's not a Dovo loom. I will upload a picture..

Not good to hear a pasted strop is as good as wiping an edge as maintaining it. Will try and find a tutorial on that.
Until know I did the same as on my regular strop.

I indeed do not have a benchmark. I understand the question about a junk SR to learn honing and a second in rotation.

Does everybody hone their SR by themselves or depends the main group on hone services? Curious to hear that.

A pasted strop won't wipe away an edge unless you do not strop correctly. The same can be said of hones as well.

On a pasted strop you do as you have been. Strop like you do on your everyday strop. That is why I was asking how your everyday stropping was going.

I am trying to figure out which red paste is on your strop. When you bought it did the seller tell you.

Cause if it is iron oxide it is most likely In the .25 micron range and with the 20 laps you did you should of seen some difference and you could try 20 more laps.

If it is jewelers rouge like dovo red then it's in the 2-4 micron range and you can do a bunch more laps around 100 to 200 more laps.

The jewelers rouge is a much slower compound so it needs more laps and leaves a smoother edge.

Thanks for your reply. I will have to check what paste it is. It was in the kit so need to check the shop.

I ended up doing a lot strokes on my loom. The result was great and good shaves again. Now knowing dull blades and having a benchmark. Going for a second SR as backup. Thx for the support :thumbup:

Congrats glad it all worked out for you