Thread: I can't keep it sharp

Take a deep breath. You'll get this since you have the determination to do so.

"If I told them once, I told them a hundred times, Spinal Tap first puppet show....." Oops, wrong quote; here's what I meant to say:

I've said it before, stropping is not only recommended to be the first blade prep action to master, it's flat out critical. I would argue since I experienced the same thing and I think most do, we often don't learn to strop correctly and dive too quickly into the whole honing thing.

If you had a few great shaves from a new razor and it quickly went dull on you (same thing happened to me way back when), there's almost no way that razor needs a hone. It needs to be stropped well as always, before and after each shave. (Ok, Ok, some will say you don't need to strop after and some will say they don't.) I ALWAYS strop after a shave.

Now that you've taken the razors to a Belgian Blue, I think you need to send the razor or razors off to a honemeister to be rehoned. The money you spend will be well worth the frustration you'll continually encounter trying to somehow get the edges back.

While they're away, spend the time reading everything you can on stropping in the SRP Wiki, etc. I'd do this first rather than just watch random Youtube videos since there is a lot of misinformation out there.

Why would the razors dull after only a few shaves? Corrosion to the edge is a distinct possibility; depending on your humidity level, where you store the razors, etc, corrosion can start within minutes or really even seconds. Cupping of the strop or you cupping the strop? It may look like you were stropping the entire edge, but maybe only the heel and the toe were making full contact leaving the center un-stropped and continually dullling from corrosion? Just some random theories.

Stick with it! You'll be glad you did.

Chris L

It really sounds like you have to much slack in the strop with the result that the edge has been rolled & dulled.
FWIW, when I strop the center deflects no more than 1/2 inch.

At present time I would suggest stropping for 100-200 roundtrip laps and see what happens. If it does not restore the edge then send it off to be honed again. Obtain some decent hones, either a coticule to compliment the blue you already have or Naniwas or Shapton Glass or Norton 4/8 etc and use an ebay special type razor for practice honing.

Just my $.02,

I didn't use anything on the blades to prevent rust but I will as soon as I get them back after they are sharpened.I will also keep them in another room.
As far as stropping goes,I am very careful with that and concentrate when doing so.I wouldn't be surprised if corrosion was a major factor.I look carfully to see that the strop is both flat and tight.I also pay attention to the way I turn the blade and make sure it is turned on its spine and don't strop too fast or too slow.
I have noticed that the edge on the Clauss has a thin bevel in the center compared to the toe and heel.
I just got two Genco's from ebay for £12 and £15 and will have them restored and re-scaled.The edges on both are sound with no chips so I can't give up now anyhoo.
Regards,
Charlie

I have a genco they are nice shavers i notice some of my razor bevel get little water spots like slght rust i just run my edge over my coticle when removed strop dry well with hairdryer and i now use camlineoil on the blade and bevel seems to done the trick i also have mass polish which comes in handy.

Originally Posted by randydance062449

It really sounds like you have to much slack in the strop with the result that the edge has been rolled & dulled.
FWIW, when I strop the center deflects no more than 1/2 inch.

At present time I would suggest stropping for 100-200 roundtrip laps and see what happens. If it does not restore the edge then send it off to be honed again. Obtain some decent hones, either a coticule to compliment the blue you already have or Naniwas or Shapton Glass or Norton 4/8 etc and use an ebay special type razor for practice honing.

Just my $.02,

This sounds like it to me. Good luck and keep us informed.