Thread: Dull razor after just 3 shaves

Originally Posted by Cros

how do I not put any pressure on the edge put still put some on spine?...

I would say: You can't.
BobH can, all the experienced guys can. But I would say You can't and You should not.
Again referring to my rediculously long post. Stropping actually is quite complex. It looks easy and after having done it a few thousand times also starts feeling easy.
It's probably a bit like trying to apply butter from the fridge onto a slice of untoastet toast that You hold in Your hand.

I'm not sure if "pressure" is the correct term here. Maybe it's better to call it "weight". There should be no pressure on the edge that's for sure. pressure on the spine does not do any harm *if* you can quarantee that You neither put pressure on the edge or lift it from the leather.
Basicly You are stropping with the weight of the razor - the spine guided as if there where a magnet underneath the leather. Not a strong one. Just one that keeps the spine on track. This however is very difficult to accomplish when You hold the strop tight and the razor - in fear of loosing control over it - also.

I would state that, compared to an experienced guy with let's say 10 or 20,000 strokes, *any* beginner is putting too much pressure and force into the whole "stropping system". It's fear, tension, thinking, controlling, correcting - All of us had to go through this.
We all can give the one or other advice, but it only comes by doing it.

For me, I always found it helpful to listen and feel what leather and razor are trying to tell me.