Thread: touch ups more often than not

Is it possible to dull a nicely done edge in only a couple shaves. I personally belive that it is. Last time I went and had a straight shave the barber had to change the shavette blade he was using after 3/4 of the first pass. I have since been noticing that if I don't touch up the edge a little after a couple of shaves my shaves are undesireable. I just lapped up a swaty so I am sure it will see some good use.

I know I have a tough beard, I would give it a 9 on a 1-10 scale and I know my tecnique is good for the most part. anyone else have this same experience? Maybe my edges will last longer on a swaty than the pasted paddle I have been using. All I know is that when I shave I have a freshly stropped blade that cuts perfectly for the first pass and then is noticeably less so. my shaves are still good this just baffles me. Most people get shave after shave without touch ups.

Sorry to ramble on and on.

Even with the toughest of bears you should be getting
more than just a few shaves out of an edge. I believe
that your stropping may be the culprit here.

What kind of a strop do you use? How many passes?
What is your technique like?

- Scott

I'm still new to this, but it sounds like over-honing. It may terrifically sharp as soon as you strop, but after the first pass or so after stropping, the edge may be folding over because it's too thin.

Perhaps your beard requires a slightly tuffer edge????
I would try re-freshing the entire edge using tape on the spine, thus creating a slightly steeper edge(read stronger) stay away from any diamond and or Chromium pastes and try actual pastes like Dovo red and black (if even needed) and see if that makes for a longer lasting edge JMHO here

After almost two years of experimenting with different edges, stropping technique and shaving techniques, I've come to the conclusion that the best approach for me is frequent refreshes on a hanging pasted strop. If I'm lucky I get 3-5 shaves out of an edge.

My problem is a coarse beard and sensitive skin. A less refined edge (like a medium barber hone) would last longer, but my skin can't handle it.

A coticule edge feels pretty comfortable but struggles with my chin hair. The sharper edges from pasted strops give me that comfort level, but my beard beats the edge up very fast.

Other guys have told me they can shave for weeks or months with my edges, so it's not a honing problem.

I keep hoping to find a stropping technique that would let me get more life out of an edge. If I do I'll be a happy, happy man. Until that day arrives, a pasted hanging strop is quick and easy to use, so I don't really mind. It will wear out my razors a little faster, but then I can just make myself another one when that happens.

Josh

I use a TM 2.5 inch latigo linen strop. I have had it now for about 3 months and have got quite good at using it. I am pretty sure my stropping is up to par. I strop about 20-30 passes on the linen, and then 50 on the leather. I will pay careful attention today when I strop, maybe part of the problem is the loose pins on my razors. I swear I can't get a pin to stay tight no matter what I do. THat is my only beef with straight razors so far.

Matt, your stropping technique is probably pretty good at
this point. Try bumping up the count on the linen to 40 or
50, so 40/40 or 50/50. See if this makes a difference -- if
not, try something else!

- Scott

Matt,

If you have tried re-riveting the pins to no avail, it may mean that the pin is bent and never will accept tightening as hammering on it will only test how much the pin can flex. I had an old razor respond the same way to my tightening ministrations. Your only hope is to re-pin it at the pivot. If the hole in the shank is really big, bushing it before re-pinning will also help prevent pin bending from over zealous peening in the future.

Good luck