Thread: New to the old way

Originally Posted by MickR

I recommend a slicker strop for beginners, but it doesn't have to be that way if you don't want it to. I'm sure that others would say entirely the opposite, as it is all fairly subjective opinions as to which way is better. What I am giving you is just my thoughts on the matter. I don't proclaim to be an expert by any means.
Anything you apply to the leather may or may not make a difference to it as a strop, but the micron of leather dressing or sealer, properly applied, would make no discernible difference to the razors edge. The leather you used for your strop would have had dye (and possibly sealer) applied to it before you went and sanded it all off anyway .
If you're worried about you're ability to carry out the dying and sealing procedure, then by all means don't. Leave the leather as it is. After all it is mostly just about appearances with dye, and sealer in this case, is just a means of trying to get a slicker strop, that as I have already pointed out, is just my personal thought on the best approach for a beginner.


Mick

Understood. I'm not real comfortable with my leather skills so I think I will just leave it be and see how it goes. Guess that means I'm ready to attempt shaving this weekend. See if I don't screw it up entirely.

Thanks!

You'll be fine mate. Take it slow, lather just what you plan on working on and no more. Re-apply lather if necessary (it may get a bit dry, no shame in that) and carry on. Keep the spine of the razor close to, but not against the skin and use short strokes that if you use the right amount (or lack thereof) of pressure, you won't even feel the blade against your face.
personally, for getting that leather an even thickness, I would have clamped it between a couple of pieces of smooth plates of timber after a bit of a soak of the leather in water. Sandpaper and leather...I just don't do it.


Mick

Well, first shave complete. Against the advice I read on here, I didn't just do a section, but the entirety of my face that I shave (less mustache and goatee). It wasn't magic the first go round, but I managed no nicks or cuts. Working the angle of the razor is somewhat difficult. Especially in areas that I am looking for a square cut like my sideburns. I didn't feel any less comfortable with my non dominant hand than my dominant one. 80% WTG and 20% XTG. First impression, neat, but I'm not impressing myself yet! Much more practice needed.

Where I do feel mighty uncomfortable is stropping. My freshly crafted paddle strop feels awkward. Also, my sand job wasn't as perfect as it seemed when I checked it out. May have to try clamping it while wet to see if I can get it any closer since the sanding didn't go terribly well the first time. Either way, stropping is definitely not a natural movement right off the bat. I don't think I rounded my blade or anything, but I'm not sure if I did any good either.

Now I have questions about oxidation. After finishing stropping, I took a very close look at my razor, and in the middle of the blade, I can see oxidation. However, this part never touches the leather/denim when stropping. How should I go about removing all of this? Or do I need to worry about it?

Originally Posted by Jtyson

Well, first shave complete. Against the advice I read on here, I didn't just do a section, but the entirety of my face that I shave (less mustache and goatee). It wasn't magic the first go round, but I managed no nicks or cuts. Working the angle of the razor is somewhat difficult. Especially in areas that I am looking for a square cut like my sideburns. I didn't feel any less comfortable with my non dominant hand than my dominant one. 80% WTG and 20% XTG. First impression, neat, but I'm not impressing myself yet! Much more practice needed.

Where I do feel mighty uncomfortable is stropping. My freshly crafted paddle strop feels awkward. Also, my sand job wasn't as perfect as it seemed when I checked it out. May have to try clamping it while wet to see if I can get it any closer since the sanding didn't go terribly well the first time. Either way, stropping is definitely not a natural movement right off the bat. I don't think I rounded my blade or anything, but I'm not sure if I did any good either.

Now I have questions about oxidation. After finishing stropping, I took a very close look at my razor, and in the middle of the blade, I can see oxidation. However, this part never touches the leather/denim when stropping. How should I go about removing all of this? Or do I need to worry about it?

Rust is never good. I'm not sure where you are saying your rust is though. Is it near the razors edge bad thing)? Or in the hollow of the razors side (Not so bad thing, but not good either)? I can't help with this one, but the clarification might aid someone who can.


Mick

Originally Posted by MickR

...I recommend a slicker strop for beginners, but it doesn't have to be that way if you don't want it to. I'm sure that others would say entirely the opposite, as it is all fairly subjective opinions as to which way is better...Mick

Interesting Mick, this got me thinking. Maybe more draw would offer more feedback and encourage more attention?

Also, as an aside, one way to get a slicker strop is to hang it in the bathroom where the wife sprays hairspray into the air like she's fumigating against zombie killer bees and malaria carrying zombie mosquitoes for two years. It gets very slick that way. I can vouch for it.

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Interesting Mick, this got me thinking. Maybe more draw would offer more feedback and encourage more attention?
Also, as an aside, one way to get a slicker strop is to hang it in the bathroom where the wife sprays hairspray into the air like she's fumigating against zombie killer bees and malaria carrying zombie mosquitoes for two years. It gets very slick that way. I can vouch for it.

Personal experience: It just leads to a tired hand from gripping the razor too tightly while stropping. These days I prefer more draw on the strop, but early in the piece, draw almost caused me a dropped razor a couple of times. Each to their own though I say. I'm no shaving god...A messiah maybe but not god status yet .


Mick

Originally Posted by MickR

Personal experience: It just leads to a tired hand from gripping the razor too tightly while stropping. These days I prefer more draw on the strop, but early in the piece, draw almost caused me a dropped razor a couple of times. Each to their own though I say. I'm no shaving god...A messiah maybe but not god status yet .


Mick

You are not the messiah, you are a very naughty boy.

After another inspection this morning, seems what I thought was oxidation was actually soap remnants or water scale. With my fingers and some careful pressure I was able to wipe it off. It was all in the hollow part of the blade, not near the edge.

Originally Posted by Jtyson

After another inspection this morning, seems what I thought was oxidation was actually soap remnants or water scale. With my fingers and some careful pressure I was able to wipe it off. It was all in the hollow part of the blade, not near the edge.

Ah poor hygiene then. Well, in future we expect no more soap scum or residues of any kind left on the blade unless that residue is a nice thin layer of oil applied to a clean, dry blade after the shave .


Mick

My strop is a failure. I thought it was my technique, but while stropping, I looked very closely, and sure enough, the blade only touches the leather/denim sporadically over the length of the strop. I thought I had made everything perfectly even and flat, but I was wrong. Not sure if the board warped, or if I just didn't cut the leather enough. Either way, going to try and make a hanging strop in the next day or so. In the meantime, using cartridge razors makes me feel like I am cheating myself with all the time/money into this whole ordeal