Thread: Re-stropping mid-shave

So I'm new to straight razor shaving and have a question if anyone can help. Question: I feel like I need to re-strop my razor ( Thiers Issard Special Coiffeur 5/8) after only shaving half my face. Is this a normal situation or do I not have a suitable sharpness in my razor? This was purchase as part of a set that was "shave ready"

Shaving with a straight requires good technique and it's common to think a razor is not shave ready when in fact it's the technique that is off. If your razor is shave ready then almost certainly you should not need to re-strop after just half a shave. Does the blade seem to be OK on the first side? If so, then maybe there is a slight difference in angle if you are changing hands.

The unknown factor (to you) is whether the razor is truly shave ready in the first place - if it doesn't take arm or leg hair off very easily then maybe you need to get it honed again. If it seems to be OK on arms/legs then you can assume that you just need more shaves under your belt.

I've never seen a reason to strop mid-shave. A truly shave ready razor will not need it.

Depending on the razor, I might re-strop before my last pass which is against the grain. However, this only occurs after 3 aggressive passes (for a total of 4) and only with some of my razors. My Sheffield steel has a tendency to perk up after that mid-shave stropping but my Swedish and American steels do not need it nearly as often. It can also happen as I am nearing time for a re-hone/touch-up. Anecdotal-ly it seems the Barbers of old sometimes stropped mid-shave. Stropping mid shave is not normal for me though and only needed before the ATG pass.

Gentlemen, Thank You. This reassures me that its probably my technique (which is only just developing). After a couple passes of the blade over a forearm, my skin is pretty much smooth so I think the razor is not the culprit. I'm thinking that my face-prep needs some work as well.


Sincerely, Robert

Originally Posted by RobertScott

After a couple passes of the blade over a forearm, my skin is pretty much smooth so I think the razor is not the culprit. I'm thinking that my face-prep needs some work as well.

Although the face prep might still need work The way you worded the forearm hair statement makes me wonder Simple question did you pay extra to have the TI professionally honed or is this the factory edge, was the box sealed when you bought the razor ????

This is a recent Vid I did to help in situations like this

http://straightrazorpalace.com/video...-test-vid.html

Glen,

The box was not sealed. It was purchased as a "complete kit/ shave ready" from straight razor designs. I think it was professionally sharpened. What I am wondering is about expectations. I am in the military and have been shaving each morning w a M3 WG CG AG since I can remember. I just don't have a frame of reference or the facial hair to know a difference between the shaves ( I am truly sick of Mach 3's and have greatly enjoyed the straight razor shave since I have started). If you know of or could recommend a razor that is "from the box the strop to the shave" perhaps that should be my next investment.
V/R - Robert

I'd be 99.999% sure that razor is fine given that it was sold shave ready from that particular seller.
It would be good to know why you feel the need to strop half way. ie do you feel it is uncomfortable or not cutting
Shave angle is another thing you might consider. The spine should be closer to the skin than most think for both comfort & proper cutting.

Onimaru55,

Honestly, I just don't have the technique or frame of reference to know better. I will definitely try that on my next shave (spine angle). I did see a video featuring a sharpness test whereas a single hair was held to a razor edge and split without any pressure. My razor decidedly does not do that. Is that common for a properly sharpened razor ? If it is, then I have much work to do to get my razor that sharp. Perhaps even out of my league.

Originally Posted by UKRob

If it seems to be OK on arms/legs then you can assume that you just need more shaves under your belt.

I'd say that if it shaves arm hair, you can probably carry on shaving your face at that point. Test shaving...elsewhere seems unnecessary to me!