Thread: Strop recommendations

Let me see what I can do!!!

Here it is.

Thanks

So lots of things could be causing issues. IMO that strop looks fine for the job, in fact I have one almost identical only its a 2 inch. In the early stages the learning curve is pretty rough. I would guess its a combination of stropping issues and technique.

Remember pressure doesn't equal closer shave and angles with your shavette are less forgiving than with a straight. 2 spine widths (away from face) is the easiest for me.

Like most new guys this one is operators error ,, and technique shaving has a lot to do with it,, if properly shave ready. But you more than likely rolled your edge,, my DE is not sharper than my straights , after I learned to shave and strop with a razor that was shave ready , they were plenty sharp but we're dull when I didn't know what is doing. Good luck. Tc

Redcane thanks for the tip, I tired that and it worked for me as well. A few things puzzle me one, the blade is more sharp after I strop on the webed side of the strop. Then dulls on the leather side. This is an SRD strop BTW. For the sake of it I ordered thier Premium IV English Braidal replacement strop segment.. This one has a two cringled sections from when it was shipped and I stay away from those.

The blade to me feels 95% there I don't understand why it is sharper after stropping on the Webbed or fabric side. I have done all kinds of hair spilting test to confirm this. What it remeinds me of is when I use shark or derby blades apposed to Astras or Feathers in my shavette..

My way of thinking if the cutting edge had better and more uniform contact with the leather side of the strop it would sharpen the blade more... I mean come on guys wouldn't you be miffed if your $12 Shavette out performed your $$$ straight razor? I am sure I will get this sooner or later. I mean if I can shave with a shavette and not cut my self yet there has to be hope for me right?

Originally Posted by Lockwood124

Redcane thanks for the tip, I tired that and it worked for me as well. A few things puzzle me one, the blade is more sharp after I strop on the webed side of the strop. Then dulls on the leather side. This is an SRD strop BTW. For the sake of it I ordered thier Premium IV English Braidal replacement strop segment.. This one has a two cringled sections from when it was shipped and I stay away from those.

The blade to me feels 95% there I don't understand why it is sharper after stropping on the Webbed or fabric side. I have done all kinds of hair spilting test to confirm this. What it remeinds me of is when I use shark or derby blades apposed to Astras or Feathers in my shavette..

My way of thinking if the cutting edge had better and more uniform contact with the leather side of the strop it would sharpen the blade more... I mean come on guys wouldn't you be miffed if your $12 Shavette out performed your $$$ straight razor? I am sure I will get this sooner or later. I mean if I can shave with a shavette and not cut my self yet there has to be hope for me right?

I have both of those strops you mentioned... The english bridal IMO is the best bang for your buck. Unfortunately all the strops perform a little different as well so I would stick with the latigo until you figure it out.

Don't hold the strop so tight that it starts to hurt your arm, just a nice comfortable taught grip. Try adding just a tiny.... and I mean TINY bit of pressure on the razor . When you flip the razor, do exactly like you see in the videos and make sure all motion has stopped when making the flip. Also, you don't have to go super fast like you see in all these youtube videos.

I had similar issues when I started. I was almost to passive with the razor and strop.

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

Don't give up, I promise you will get better. It is worth the work and you will end up getting a way more comfortable shave than a shavette. Keep us posted.

First off that isn't an action shot, daughter was manning the camera. I was trying to show how the strop isn't contacting the razor fully.i have watched this video 6-8 times. I am hoping I can get this razor where it does shave better. Larry who rehoned the razor said it honed up perfectly. He is a big fan of theirs issrad fan, he said they seem to take the less time and are the most consistent. So on that end I feel good about my purchase.

Well I have done all I could with my razor, she is still dull. I have stropped it a ton, and improved it. I tried .05 micron paste, even did a touch up with a 4k/8k hone that was leveled to Lynn's spec's. I have improved the razor at each step, all I can think is the bevel was never set. I have inspected it with a 60x magnifying glass. Which showed the bevel is even. So I will send it out to be honed to yet another person to see what happens.

In other news I have been getting some great shaves with my shavette and de razor. I got a merkur progress. That thing is sweet!!!!

A properly honed razor should not behave as you describe.
How did the razor shave before you stropped it ?

I don't see any drastic problem with the strop in the pics that the X stroke can't compensate for but logically, your edge cannot be optimised if the leather is degrading it ie you are degrading it somehow or something is up with the strop.
Seeing you have tried two strops with the same result it is more likely something you are doing, if the razor is truly shave ready.


If you are new to straights there can easily be a number of things you are doing wrong. The leather makes the edge smoother, not so much sharper. Sharpness will come from the stone & as you notice even the linen makes an improvement being more abrasive than leather.
Sometimes new honers notice their edge loses sharpness as they get to their final stone. This is often because earlier work gives a false sharpness that can grab hair & break it rather than slice it easily. Not criticising whoever honed the blade just emphasising that the whole process is cumulative towards shave readiness & not degrading to the edge at the final stage..

You have a tough beard so the edge will suffer more than maybe someone else's beard. If you use the same angle as your shavette this will compound the damage greatly. Try with the blade flat on your face. Yes spine touching & all. I know a guy with sensitive skin & a tough beard who gets 6- 8 months of good shaves on a 2-3 razor rotation

Read these manufacturers instructions & see that they all emphasise good prep & a flat shaving angle.

Your edge may well need another touchup to really assess these instructions however.


http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...ng-basics.html


One final comment. Any mention of sales or trade on the open forums is against the rules but I figure your comment was in jest about "making a deal"

When I bought the razor it was very dull, it literally pulled the hairs out of my arm. You can read my original post. As for my strop I got the SRD 3" black latigo, and I must say I like the design of it and the fact you can change out peices as you go. The strop seems like a total no brainer to me.

I will admit I made mistakes with the stop, it was wavey from shipping is all I can think, I did used saddle soap on it to soften it and it did. I did nick it a few times, it is also wrinkled in a few spots as well. So This week I orderd the Premium IV segment, this one did show up alittle wavey as well but I just rub it with my hand every time I walk past it and it is softening up nicely.

The razor is sharper then it ever has been I have cutting hairs midway with out any putting and the razor makes a nice rining sound when it cuts the hairs. I think I may run up stairs and give her a shave.