cleaning

[advocate92]

Hi all, New to this 4 months in, my razor has tiny black spots on the steel, I know it is water that is causing the problem, how can I get rid of them? I am using a carbon steel blade (Bismarck 2). Also, stropping;
getting very mixed messages, some sya only prior to sahaving, some say before and after........confusing!!!

Thanks in advance..

[ursus]

Try some metal polish with a q-tip. Note that it will/might strip the gold plating.

Stropping before is necessary. Afterwards it is taking care of the razor (cleans the edge) and thus optional.

[holli4pirating]

Metal polish may or may not remove the stains, it depends on how bad they are. Qtips work well, as do toothpicks. A toothpick is a little more aggressive, since the wood is slightly abrasive and you are bound to apply more pressure to a smaller area, but they are not aggressive enough to scratch or otherwise damage a razor. Toothpicks can also be used more precisely, so you may be able to work around goldwash.

I only strop before shaving, mostly because I don't enjoy stropping. I do carefully clean my razors after shaving, and I have found that to be sufficient. I have not conducted any sort of experiments between stropping and not stropping after a shave, so I have no idea what sort of a difference it might make.

[Stubear]

As Ursus and Holli say, polish and a Q-Tip will hopefully get the spots off. Just watch the gold wash as the polish will remove it.

I strop before and after each shave. I do 25 material and 50-60 leather before, and then 10 material and 15 leather afterwards.

I do this to ensure that the edge is free of any micro-gunk and totally dry. It really seems to help maintain the edge and extend the time between honings.

[advocate92]

Thanks Stubear,

One other quicke, I am having problems on the chin area, it just doesn't cut it. Sometimes takes 3 -4 passes. I have owned a str8 for 3 months now, I have ordered a honing stone, when I get home on leave I will hone my blade, is that the problem do you think?

Ta.

[holli4pirating]

It could be the razor, but if you are getting the rest of your face shaved well, it probably is not the razor. The chin is usually the hardest place to shave, so it may be your techniqe. Watch your angle and pressure carefully.