Thread: Better with no strop

Originally Posted by 8thsinner

Blade has been well stropped
What I mean by this is that given the finest hone I have is a japanese slip stone at 4000 grit, I felt that stropping was the best way to polish the edge. I only have pasted strops. But I used the older one. This is what I did for long enough that the edge has a superior sheen. I do not believe I have forced this past it's optimum edge as three shaves on, it's still shaving pretty well.

Stropping afterwards.
I still use a sponge to clean off the crap on the edge of the blade after shaving, with extremely light touches, I would not consider it enough force to realign the blade. which I do know is the purpose of stropping. Straightening up all those fragments of steel that get bent out of shape during use.

Just to clarify...

You basically all over the board here, and you're giving no info for us to help...

Here is what I actually see


Razor = Unknown
Stone = Unknown Japanese Slip stone
Grit = Unknown might be 4k
Strops = Unknown
Pastes = Unknown
Laps = Unknown
Shave Ready = Unknown


So basically what is you assertion??? or question ???

Because I don't see any basis on which to help you...

I'm a complete noob here, but this does seem to go against everything I've read on the subject.

One thing I read that stuck in my mind: "Honing is for cutting whiskers, stroping is for comfort." (I don't recall where I read that)

Is it possible that you are stroping correctly and the feel of the blade on your skin is such that your mind tricks you into thinking that you have a less sharp blade?

The feel of a blade on skin can be deceiving in my experience (more-so with knives than razors). Sometimes a blade that pulls just ever so slightly might make you think its sharper than one that just cuts effortlessly, because of the little extra sensory feedback you get.

But then, I'm new to this so I may be way off here...

Originally Posted by cswann1

I'm a complete noob here, but this does seem to go against everything I've read on the subject.

One thing I read that stuck in my mind: "Honing is for cutting whiskers, stroping is for comfort." (I don't recall where I read that)

Is it possible that you are stroping correctly and the feel of the blade on your skin is such that your mind tricks you into thinking that you have a less sharp blade?

The feel of a blade on skin can be deceiving in my experience (more-so with knives than razors). Sometimes a blade that pulls just ever so slightly might make you think its sharper than one that just cuts effortlessly, because of the little extra sensory feedback you get.

But then, I'm new to this so I may be way off here...

I'm not exactly sure what you're trying to say here.

A razor that pulls is either not quite keen enough or else the shaver's technique isn't up to par. A lot of times a good stropping session (with proper form) will help, otherwise a touchup will have to suffice. The sensory feedback that you mention is what tells you that your razor needs some maintenance, ie pulling, uncomfortable shaves etc.

I also have to disagree with the "stropping is for comfort" part. Yes, stropping adds essential comfort to a shave, but it is also essential to strop before EVERY shave, thus it is as important (if not more so) than honing.

I'm surprised that it hasn't come up in this thread so far, but you can help yourself by viewing Lynn's video on the opening page. What's been said about honing and stropping so far is good advice in general. The point that gssixgun made is a good one but maybe you aren't sure what information to give. The video will help you figure out what to ask.

Originally Posted by 8thsinner

Otherwise I will continue to strop removing more metal than is needed and end up wearing my blade out much more quickly.

After reading this thread, and reading everyone basically telling you that you are wrong, I fear that we might chase you off. I assure you that is not the intent. We are trying to help you, that's all.

Now, back to the issue. I quoted your sentence that caused me the greatest reaction. Stropping does not remove metal. It merely re-aligns it. A properly honed razor's edge forms a very sharp "V," with the very edge being so thin that small regions of it can deform and/or bend over forming a series of "Js" bent over in both directions. Those little "Js" make for a duller and less comfortable shave. Stropping re-aligns that edge, making it sharp and comfortable again.

You really need a straight out, leather strop with no pastes on it at all. Just a plain leather strop - that is what we all strop on daily. Not pasted ones - they are for touching up our edges on a much, much less frequent basis.

Besides that, that slipstone of yours has two problems: 1. its grit is in what straight razor honers would consider the low to medium range (I have a final finishing stone that is in the +30,000 range, for example); 2. it is not a flat stone - it is tear-drop shaped. As a general rule, because of how straights are honed, a nice flat surface is generally ideal.

I would strongly urge you to read all you can here, get yourself a plain leather strop and do not paste it, and perhaps send your razor to someone reputable to hone for you. It will give you a benchmark and I would almost guarantee you will get a better shave.

Good Luck!

James.

Originally Posted by Utopian

After reading this thread, and reading everyone basically telling you that you are wrong, I fear that we might chase you off. I assure you that is not the intent. We are trying to help you, that's all.

Now, back to the issue. I quoted your sentence that caused me the greatest reaction. Stropping does not remove metal. It merely re-aligns it. A properly honed razor's edge forms a very sharp "V," with the very edge being so thin that small regions of it can deform and/or bend over forming a series of "Js" bent over in both directions. Those little "Js" make for a duller and less comfortable shave. Stropping re-aligns that edge, making it sharp and comfortable again.

+1 What Utopian said is bang on.

Everybody is different. I strop after I shave, just to keep the blade clean and dry. Before I shave, to realign the edge and (although not always) just before I do my last pass which is ATG, just to give the edge that little boost.

Depending on what type of beard growth you have, you may get away without stropping for a time, but at some time, you will need to strop your blade.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Besides that, that slipstone of yours has two problems: 1. its grit is in what straight razor honers would consider the low to medium range (I have a final finishing stone that is in the +30,000 range, for example); 2. it is not a flat stone - it is tear-drop shaped. As a general rule, because of how straights are honed, a nice flat surface is generally ideal.

Actually, this is a rare incidence in which I disagree with Jimbo. Certainly the grit is too low for a final hone but I think a slipstone shape is just fine. The round edge is simply an extremely chamfered edge. It still has a flat surface and I have found them to work just fine if the hone is held in your hand with the rounded edge facing the razor-holding hand during the honing.

Dovo recommends not stropping until the razor needs it. They claim the blade edge will restore after 24 hr, so does not need stropping every time if you give it a rest. They recommend stropping ever 3-5 shaves.

This is the same issue as steeling a knife. The amount and typ of use is the real factor. At a meat plant, a steel is used every few minutes. At home, I steel a knife perhaps every 2-3 times I use it.

Actually, though, I strop my razor every time I use it. I use the HHT to check the edge, and I've noticed it doesn't pass without a stropping. So I guess I'm not completely buying what Dovo is selling, although they should be the experts.

It may be that if you shave the right way with very little pressure, the blade doesn't dull. If your technique is not perfect, you will dull the blade during shaving, so will need a strop each time.

TI say the same thing on some of the papers that come with a razor. I definately disagree with that statement though!

There is an element of realigning the edge with stropping, it also cleans off any microgunk that might be on the edge (and lead to corrosion) and helps dry the edge out after the shave, which is why I strop after the shave as well as before. It also gives a burnishing effect on the edge, further refining it.

So dont underestimate stropping! Its far more important to the finished edge than people give it credit for, and really can make all the difference to the shave.