Thread: First Post & first month report

Originally Posted by piperjim

Harold:

I thought I saw something about stropping.....it said that it is only effective if it's done quickly, as opposed to slow (like my newbie stroke). What's your experience....or other folks? Does speed make a difference when it comes to stropping?

Thanks
piperjim

Hi Jim,

Sorry to be slow to reply.

Here's the link to a video from Lynn Abrams. It will answer your question. I can also supply a video by Glen and he will also tell you that Speed Isn't The Key! Proper Stropping Is The KEY!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

"Does speed make a difference when it comes to stropping?"

Yes, Speed + Novice Stropper = Cut strop.

Speed does not affect the edge, slow and even is what you want, to build muscle memory. Until then you need 100 percent concentration. Keep the spine on the strop always, lifting the spine will wipe the edge. Doing so with a pasted strop will cause more damage.

Find a mentor and your learning curve will improve dramatically. The quicker and better you learn to strop the better your shaves will be.

Welcome to the forum and your journey… an enjoyable hobby.

Sorry I missed this, but no, speed doesn't matter...care and keeping the spine and blade flat on the strop, turning on the spine, and nor rolling the blade edge is what's important, as well as the number of round trips. I always do at least 15-20 on linen or rough leather then 50-70 on smooth leather before a shave. I also strop after a shave about 1/2 as many turns.

Gents:

It's been almost 2 months since my first post, and about 3 months since my first attempt at shaving with a straight!! This gets more fun as the skills are developed!!

Just by way of an update:

Thanks to Durhampiper and Harold for the recommendation to use a strop lying on a flat surface. This is much better than a hanging strop, at least for me!! I dulled my first razor using a hanging strop, but now feel pretty confident with the flat strop. Thanks to Durham and Harold for the recommendation!!

Speaking of that first razor, a beautifully ordinary Eugene Berninghaus 5/8 off eBay, stamped "Bayonet Steel" Since I was in Afghanistan when I bought it, I figured that "Bayonet Steel" was appropriate!! Well, as said, I dulled it pretty quickly trying to strop it on a hanging strop. Looking at it through a hand loupe, I could see the disfigured edge. Did I feel dumb? Yeah!! Anyway, another forum member, Cudarunner, took that little razor in and put some kind of keen edge on it!!! I mailed it to him from Afghanistan and it took about 2 weeks to arrive at his mailbox. I had him return it to my home in the States as I was headed home within a few weeks. When I arrived home, there was one super-sharp "Bayonet Steel" Eugene Berninghaus 5/8 waiting for me!! What an edge!! Cudarunner also included a note telling me everything that he did to it, i.e. the progression of hones and his stropping method. He also gave me recommendations on stropping and care, too. I was definitely impressed, both with the quality of the work, the speed of the work, and the information provided. For a newbie, this was really helpful!!

I continue to learn and thank all of you who have offered suggestions, encouragement and assistance!!

Thanks,
piperjim

Great stuff piperjim. I have lost count how many new members cudarunner has helped out, a top mentor in my book. I pretty much did the same as you, trashed the edge on my first shave ready razor. Different story now, I can confirm you can maintain the edge of a razor with just a strop for a long time. You may want to re-visit a hanging strop once you feel confident enough, but in the mean time, what ever is working for you. Best of luck.

Originally Posted by Grazor

Great stuff piperjim. I have lost count how many new members cudarunner has helped out, a top mentor in my book. I pretty much did the same as you, trashed the edge on my first shave ready razor. Different story now, I can confirm you can maintain the edge of a razor with just a strop for a long time. You may want to re-visit a hanging strop once you feel confident enough, but in the mean time, what ever is working for you. Best of luck.

Grazor:

Yes, it's great to find such mentors here! Cudarunner went "above & beyond". I wish I could find a mentor that lives closer to me. I'd love to sit down and learn from someone like this!! Do we have any kind of "mentor" list on the forum? I'll have to look.

Thanks again,
piperjim

Type Local Help in the search box, upper right. Click on first post listed, goes right to help by states and countries.

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

Type Local Help in the search box, upper right. Click on first post listed, goes right to help by states and countries.

Thanks for the tip....found it and a couple of mentors in my state. Not close, but I can make it work!!

Thanks Razorfeld!

piperjim