Thread: Are these welts? Technique or equipment?

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Yup a sharpness issue.

New guy, with a pasted strop, usually equals a damaged edge. It is easy to damage a shave ready edge with a plain leather strop, with a pasted, abrasive strop it is even more critical to use light pressure.

Run a QTip, from the heel to the toe, lightly. See if it snags any fibers.

You should invest in some magnification, you will need it to maintain your razors. You can buy good lighted loupes for $2-15, there are many post on which are easiest to use and where to purchase, online.

“I am a bit curious though as my strop was sent and had a bend in the middle and it had permanent wrinkles in it. Could that be messing with the strop effectiveness?”

Doubtful, but it does sound dehydrated, proper hydration will help the strop, it should be flat and soft.

I didn't use a pasted strop until a couple of days ago. But yes I do agree with you it was probably poor stropping plus that one time on the pasted strop that has dulled it. You live and you learn though

I will try that q-tip idea that you suggested though. And look into a loupe too.

I am not sure how to make sure it is hydrated so I will look into that in the morning. It is kinda soft, if I had to compare the softness I would say like a new wallet. These are also brand new and cheap though.


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Also, only go with one pass until it clears, with the shavette. I can't do more than one pass or I get bump and whiteheads in the same spot.

Don't strop the new razor, a truly shave ready edge should be good to go right out of the box.

It is not unusual for new inexpensive strops to be dehydrated or that could benefit from proper hydration and a bit of oil.

A while back I purchased an inexpensive leather strop from CNTG, it was not a high-quality leather and was very dry. A hydration treatment, over about a month, improved the condition of the leather, it is now a decent strop that could easily maintain a razor.

Your wrinkles may be from the cut of the leather, or from folding, during storage or shipping, but properly hydrated it should be as soft as a well washed sock and many of the wrinkles should come out or at least not be detrimental to a bevel or edge.

Some photos of the strop could help in advising you. I is not uncommon for new guys to have issues stropping and damage the strop while learning, (it can take up to a year to develop good stropping technique). So, a strop of the CNTG quality is perfectly acceptable for learning the skill.

As your stropping improves, so too will your edges and shaves, then is a good time to upgrade to a quality strop, where the strop can make a difference.

Worst case it can be converted to a pasted strop for knives or tools. Post some photos and use light pressure.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

It is not unusual for new inexpensive strops to be dehydrated or that could benefit from proper hydration and a bit of oil.

A while back I purchased an inexpensive leather strop from CNTG, it was not a high-quality leather and was very dry. A hydration treatment, over about a month, improved the condition of the leather, it is now a decent strop that could easily maintain a razor.

Your wrinkles may be from the cut of the leather, or from folding, during storage or shipping, but properly hydrated it should be as soft as a well washed sock and many of the wrinkles should come out or at least not be detrimental to a bevel or edge.

Some photos of the strop could help in advising you. I is not uncommon for new guys to have issues stropping and damage the strop while learning, (it can take up to a year to develop good stropping technique). So, a strop of the CNTG quality is perfectly acceptable for learning the skill.

As your stropping improves, so too will your edges and shaves, then is a good time to upgrade to a quality strop, where the strop can make a difference.

Worst case it can be converted to a pasted strop for knives or tools. Post some photos and use light pressure.

Cheers for the advice on the strop. I am going to try and hydrate it and see if it helps.

I did practice on a piece of newspaper first to find the right amount of pressure to use but I guess I might of rushed to the strop a bit to quickly.

I will try and post a photo of my strop when I get a chance. But like I said, I am 99% sure that it is my doing.

As the saying goes "a bad craftsman always blames his tools".


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Originally Posted by dinnermint

Also, only go with one pass until it clears, with the shavette. I can't do more than one pass or I get bump and whiteheads in the same spot.

Don't strop the new razor, a truly shave ready edge should be good to go right out of the box.

Yeah I think I will stick to one pass for the majority of my face from now on. Way to sensation otherwise.


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