Thread: Hey guys

Reasonably new to straight razor shaving (9months or so), loving shaving for the first time in my life and its all thanx to a straight razor! [emoji2]
Hopefully I can get some help, I can shave and not cut myself now but sometimes I struggle to strop properly and find the razor pulls when shaving. Im sure it's my technique but also early on I cut little chunks out of my strop by trying to go too fast instead of using proper technique, what do you guys think, should I replace the leather?
Thanx for any help
Cheers Peter

Welcome to SRP!
If you haven't done so already, check out the beginner's section in the library. It can help answer a lot of questions.
You might want to add your location to your profile so that others in your area can help you out. Or you can do a member search based on your location.

It sounds like your blade needs to be rehoned - probably dulled from taking a whack out of the strop. Like many first strops, that one looks like it has seen better days. You can try and sand it back flat with a high grit sand paper, but I think that one has had a few too many mishaps.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask, we are here to help.

Originally Posted by criswilson10

Welcome to SRP!
If you haven't done so already, check out the beginner's section in the library. It can help answer a lot of questions.
You might want to add your location to your profile so that others in your area can help you out. Or you can do a member search based on your location.

It sounds like your blade needs to be rehoned - probably dulled from taking a whack out of the strop. Like many first strops, that one looks like it has seen better days. You can try and sand it back flat with a high grit sand paper, but I think that one has had a few too many mishaps.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask, we are here to help.

Thanx Cris
I'll have a look at the library.

Hello Peter. Sounds like your off to a good start equipment wise. Take your time, its not as fast as multi blade shaving. This time is meant to be enjoyed and not a chore. Slow and steady, results in fast and smooth. It takes time to learn.
As for your edge dragging. It sounds as it may have a rolled edge from stropping, which will need a touch up to shave smooth again.
As for your paddle. See if you can find a new piece of strap. E-comerce is a good place to start. SRD may also stock something. As mentioned by Chris, the cuts appear too deep.
Don't get discouraged, all good things come in time.

Just a thought here. Maybe you are not giving yourself enough time for shaving, therefore you are speeding up your stropping. Give yourself more time to enjoy the process!


Mike

Hello and welcome,
in answer to your question I would guess the leather is still good but you need the razor touched up before you can use it again.
I don't see your location as you will be looking for somebody in your area to offer guidance.
in the meantime I would practice stropping with a butter knife taking it slow as speed has no value in stropping.

Nice razor by the way.

Hi and welcome. That many nicks and 9 months worth of shaving that razor is really going to want to be re honed. I have seen people use strops in worse condition. Technique is more important. What is the leather on the other side like. Good luck getting it sorted and any questions feel free to ask.

Originally Posted by eddy79

Hi and welcome. That many nicks and 9 months worth of shaving that razor is really going to want to be re honed. I have seen people use strops in worse condition. Technique is more important. What is the leather on the other side like. Good luck getting it sorted and any questions feel free to ask.

Hey Eddy, the other side is still in good nick and I usually use the good side, I just showed the damaged side so people could see how things were, I've gotten better at stropping and watched lots of videos but just wanted some advice so I could get better. I've found using the suede side of the leather 1st then the rawhide (smooth) side I get better results. Any thoughts on using the suede side? Should I or shouldn't I?

Hi peter & welcome to SRP. Sorry I'm late to the party, I was at my mothers yesterday celebrating her 89 birthday.
You will learn a lot starting in the Library & going from there. If you didn't cut the strop too bad which I doubt you did, you can sand that little bit out or if it has a small part sticking up, you can glue it back down using some super glue (CA) or what I like to use is rubber cement because it isn't hard like the CA.
Got any questions just ask. That's a nice Bismarck there! Here's a link that might interest you:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...icipation.html

Good luck my friend.

Originally Posted by kiwiboy1984

Hey Eddy, the other side is still in good nick and I usually use the good side, I just showed the damaged side so people could see how things were, I've gotten better at stropping and watched lots of videos but just wanted some advice so I could get better. I've found using the suede side of the leather 1st then the rawhide (smooth) side I get better results. Any thoughts on using the suede side? Should I or shouldn't I?

The suede would be in place of fabric or linen. So continue suede then smooth that is how it's meant to be used. A barber I know has a strop that looks awful but has no problems using it to maintain his razor. As I said technique is far more important