Thread: Seems like edge does not last long

Do you strop after the shave?

I recommend the OP to dive into the stacks of the forum because the number of variables are formidable. Good Luck!

Could be stropping or shaving technique, or possibly both.

Stropping has been covered fairly well in this thread, so on to shaving technique. Two of the biggest blade killers are high angle and straight cuts. Make sure you're using a shallow angle. And try an angled heel or toe leading (aka guillotine) stroke or scything stroke. Both are far easier on the edge and much more efficient at cutting whiskers.

I leave my razor in a heat controlled office in my basement. I will try and strop more and see what happens. I know I am not an expert at anyone thing, but the goal is to achieve the ultimate one day. Thanks everyone for some input and great ideas.

My edges last a long time. There's a guy at work I hooked up with a straight (he always used a shavette) and his edge isn't lasting long either. He shaves one time a week or once in two weeks. So I'd be intrerested to hear what others have to say too.
He's suppose to bring the razor back in for me to touch up the edge, so I'll take a look at it. I'm thinking Rust, everytime he's brought it back to me it needs a serious polishing.
Maybe cut back on the stropping a little - I would think that would increase your chances of rolling the edge if your fairly new at this, I think you could probably check that by taking your fingernail and pushing it toward the edge and all along it, to check for a burr? I'm not real good at describing thing's so I hope this helps...

Wanted to edit my post - I'm not sure how much you strop your razor, but before and after to me seems excessive and as Shooter pointed out with his metaphor the more you do it the chance of it happening increases. You could roll your edge at any point during the stropping process, but you need to strop your razor. To me 12-15 strokes on the linen or felt and then 50-60 strokes on the leather works for me, but we all do thing's slightly more or less. Clearly what I suggested earlier came off the wrong way, in no way was I "trying" to suggest not to strop your razor.

Originally Posted by Trimmy72

Maybe cut back on the stropping a little - I would think that would increase your chances of rolling the edge if your fairly new at this......

Please sir, do not give this advice again. Sure, the more miles you drive a day increases the odds in getting into an accident as well or telling me to stop shaving with my razor so that it will not become dull with use. Stropping is one of the most important things, if not the most important thing you can do for a razor to maintain it.

I'm in the same boat as Gonzo. I have a new 5/8 Dovo that was sharpened by two leading hone masters full hollow, a 4/8 Richard something or other half hollow that up until recently was fantastic and a recently purchased an excellent barbers notch known as Monty that was working the best until I put a ding in the edge somehow and have shipped it of to NuntoSharp for repair.

I try to pay attn to my angles closely but have not giving much attn to heel angle. I strop on a Russian Illinois strop about 60 times before a shave and about 20 after. I prep well and all but things are going south lately and have been at it for about 3-4 mo.

I prep well and all but things are going south lately and have been at it for about 3-4 mo.

Same thing started in on me at about 5-6 month time frame, seems started getting comfortable and started picking up bad stropping habbits without realizing it. However, I also might lean toward shave technique. Then move to stropping technique. Hang in there.. It will pass.