Thread: When is your Straight Razor Sharp

Shaving with a straight razor is an investment in time and money. Well worth it, IMO. But it's not for everybody. It's not just a means to an end, but part of the means and part of the end. It's one of the things that makes life interesting. Just my $.02.

Originally Posted by Barry2

- - - Some guys claim to be able to strop with a piece of leather cut from the leather belt they are wearing, and they have the videos to prove it. I have tried that with added CrO2 and it doesn't work for me.

- - - Some guys use expensive 15 K and even 30K stones without leather, so I doubt that leather is the only route.

Do you have an expensive 15 or 30k stone that can give a good shave without stropping? If not, then you should probably swallow your pride and take the suggestions offered to you.

What you're doing isn't working. The very definition of insanity is to continue doing the same thing and expecting different results. And you're the one that asked for suggestions and help. Don't get all huffy that the recommendation is exactly what you don't want to do - it's your own fault you're doing it wrong.

FYI most of the people with 15k, 16k, 20k, and 30k stones as well as the ones using pastes and lapping films own strops. They only use the other things for edge touch ups, which your razor should only need about 6 times a year tops - the rest of the time they hit it with a strop - most often linen, then leather. Paddle, loom, hanging, balsa...pick your poison but no one that I've seen, even the guy with the belt (I think I know who you're talking about, and I'm not sure I'd take much advice from him) is going to advocate going without.

Edit: matter of fact, I left a comment on Mr. Carter''s video pointing him toward The Science of Sharp that proves his edge trailing style of honing, and his theories regarding stropping, are factually incorrect. That comment is now suspiciously absent - most likely removed because the fellow just can't handle being proven irrevocably incorrect.

Thanks for the information Redtruck. I just bought three more. I have got to stop this. I have more razors than I know what to do with. I have managed to talk prices down with some dealers when I discuss the razors condition. I always present my theory that a true antique must be able to retain it original utilitarian purpose, otherwise it is just junk. Some have argued that by the mere fact that it is old is sufficient to ask such high prices.
Again Redtruck. Thanks for taking the time to present the information.

If we always do what we've always done we will always get what we've always got.

Nicely put Deeter, nicely put.

What brand is your 4/8 stone?

- - - My stone is a Norton 4K/8K. I bought my first razor about 10 years ago and I have put a lot of hours into this from time to time, then come back months or 2 years later and try it again. But nothing seems to work; that's why I tried a few bizarre items. I know that most of you guys are confident in the leather strop, but why won't a leather belt work just as well? I have a few of those. So why buy one ?

- - - My guess is that the bevel is or should be obvious to close inspection. I think mine is OK, but may be wrong.

- - - And why would leather be effective while vinyl is not ? Some guys swear by lapping on news papers or on their jeans. My experience tells me that this is not a science and even with a microsope, nobody can tell you what is happening. There are a lot of guesses, and speculation, but nobody knows for sure.

Originally Posted by Marshal

Do you have an expensive 15 or 30k stone that can give a good shave without stropping? If not, then you should probably swallow your pride and take the suggestions offered to you.

What you're doing isn't working. The very definition of insanity is to continue doing the same thing and expecting different results. And you're the one that asked for suggestions and help. Don't get all huffy that the recommendation is exactly what you don't want to do - it's your own fault you're doing it wrong.

FYI most of the people with 15k, 16k, 20k, and 30k stones as well as the ones using pastes and lapping films own strops. They only use the other things for edge touch ups, which your razor should only need about 6 times a year tops - the rest of the time they hit it with a strop - most often linen, then leather. Paddle, loom, hanging, balsa...pick your poison but no one that I've seen, even the guy with the belt (I think I know who you're talking about, and I'm not sure I'd take much advice from him) is going to advocate going without.

Edit: matter of fact, I left a comment on Mr. Carter''s video pointing him toward The Science of Sharp that proves his edge trailing style of honing, and his theories regarding stropping, are factually incorrect. That comment is now suspiciously absent - most likely removed because the fellow just can't handle being proven irrevocably incorrect.

- - - You may have a point. If I appear to be stubborn, it is because this is not a science and it seems to be well-documented that everybody has a guess and nobody can say that they can prove what the problem is. The fact is that nobody knows the science except the Gillette company, and they are not telling.

- - - Oh, and, I disagree with your definition of insanity. One might be well-advised to go back and do the same thing again and again to try to discern what they are doing wrong. I have done that !

You are wrong. With my microscope I know exactly what is happening.

I find it bizarre that you keep referring to your experience, yet you are unable to get your razors to shave. In science that is called emperical evidence, yet you choose to ignore it.

I'm not trying to be harsh, but unless you are willing to accept that you might want to consider a different approach, you will continue to struggle. Would you be willing to accept help from someone here on this forum?

You in a word are Wrong! The science does prove that stropping works with leather,mand ya you can use a belt or newspaper and jeans. These are materials that provide the needed abrasive qualities, vinyl will not. As said before, get your razor honed, by someone other than you(cause you don't know how) and then LEARN. To strop, then learn to shave. Plus if you come somewhere asking for help take the advise offered or continue down the wrong path such as you have been for 10 years, and quit posting. Tc

We have all tried off the wall methods of honing & stropping with different types of hones & strops & most end up with traditional methods & materials. They just work! It takes time to learn to strop & hone a razor. Forget what you know about knife sharpening because knives & razors are two different animals. Just watch the videos from members here & learn the correct way to do the job first! Then if you want to try your own thing, go for it.
Also there are many different leathers out there & they are not all equal. I was lucky & found two vintage Shell horse hide strops that really do a good job for me & with proper care should last my & my grand kids lives at least. There are many high quality strops made today & price is higher than a belt for sure but the better strops have been treated & worked to make the strop work better just like vintage strops of higher quality. I was lucky to get both of my shell strops at very good prices at antique dealers & garage sales. My Jager Barber supply strop was very dry & took quite a bit of work to get it ready to use but I only paid $5.00 for it. There are many ways to go but learning the tried & true first seems to work best.
Barry, your razor might be the problem also. Watch Dr. Matt's videos about checking to see if your blade is warped or not honed correct. Setting the bevel with out tape is to me the way to go. Learn the "Tap Test" to see if your blade is square with the world & go from there.

Dave "Slawman" Huffman