Thread: Balsa strop

Originally Posted by drphillipt

I've been shaving with a straight razor for about 3 months now and I'm really liking it. Bought a vintage stone which I'm sure is a coti on e-bay. I've got 2 functional razors now. One is a Clover (German) and it still pulls a bit. I have hone knives for 40-50 years, so I believe my touch is OK. I know that at first I was a little heavy handed, but have re-honed with a very light touch. The other SR is a wedge without legible markings and takes a much better edge. It has a curved edge, which I find follows the contour on my neck better, giving me a closer shave. so I just made a balsa strop and bought some CrO paste from Classic Shaving. How many strokes on each side would be optimal to refine the edge? any other tips to give me a great edge? Thanks

Phil

Well I'm far from an expert as far as sharpening goes, but when my edge tugs a bit then I'll go 5-10 passes on CrO and then strop as normal and shave. If it still pulls then I'll go to my finishing stone; either a Swaty barber hone or my Naniwa 12k. Then strop and shave.