Thread: Brand New Set Up

I just got a Joseph Elliot wedge and a Stephan's Woodworking silvertip brush. I got them both on the same day on Monday. The razor is beautiful. (Thanks Manah) Stropping it is difficult though because its heavier and feels a lot different than my 5/8 Dovo. Does anyone have any tips to stropping a wedge? The shave is amazing. It doesnt even feel like I'm shaving anything. It's crazy. And my brush is so soft I love it. But the only thing is my lather. I cant make it as good as with my pure badger. I would get the right constancy then the lather would disappear. The shave was great just the pre shave stuff ticked me off a little. So if anyone has any tips making the lather and stropping please let me know.

The wedge is going to feel a whole lot different on the strop than the Dovo. The Dovo is probably a Full Hollow ground and when you strop it there isn't much more than the spine and the beveled edge contacting the strop. The blade on the wedge, however, will almost have all of it touching the strop thus increasing the drag. This is a good thing though. I would start the process slow to get the feel, make sure the strop is tight, and pay particular attention to that drag. As you get the feeling of it you will be able to increase the speed.

The Silver tip brush is much softer then most other brushes and I found mine was also a bit of a challenge to make lather. What I do to help it along is when I start lathering in the bowl I cup the handle and put my 5 fingers on the base of the bristles to make the brush stiffer and swirl it in the soap to load the tips. Once they are loaded I then continue as usual. This seems to help create a better lather.

Hope this helps.

Ray

I tend to go a little slower when stropping big wedges, humpbacks and razors with thumb notches. Just go slow and strop correctly the speed will come with time. Sometimes on razors with oddly shaped tangs it is easier to hold the razor by the top of the scales than by the tang.

I am no help with lather, I know I have to work harder with some brushes and soaps. Half of the fun of shaving is leaning the characteristics of the different brushes, soaps, creams, and razors. It is a never ending.

Charlie

I shave with everything from the light and cheap to the heavy and expensive. I enjoy learning the fine touch each one needs to deliver a great performance. The light straight razors need more directional input from you. The heavy razors need less directional touch as the weight directs itself.

I have a best pure badger brush and they are the best bang for the buck. Silvertips are nice, but a little too soft for my preference and functionality.

Pabster