Thread: Should I be stropping 2 or three times during one shave?

I'm not entirely sure of the grit of the stone it 'feels' like 4k/8k but there is no grit stamp..it just says 'Norton'. Its brown and dark grey in colour. I then go straight to my 'fine stone' which again I don't know the grit specifically but it's very fine, certainly finer (to the touch) than a 12k.

My strop is pretty crappy too, the 'linen' bit is cloth backed PVC and the leather is hard and narrow..

From the excellent info posted here, (thanks everyone!) I think I should;

*Get a more accurate idea of the stones I'm using with a smaller gap between the sharpening and the finishing.
*Get a better strop and work on my technique.
*Maybe invest in a good lense or glass to check the edge more accurately.

Thanks everyone for your input. :-)

It's a good idea that you're formulating a plan of action. That's the good thing about these forums. Use them as a source of information and referral. What you'll come to find is that there is a better way to do things. It's in the middle between people telling you that you need 6 different stones, 3 pastes and 4 strops. ...And others telling you that blades grow when they rest and you need a rotation of 7(:-). Read, and then read some more.

Remember. Our grandfathers probably only had 2 razors. 1 strop. And a Barber Hone.

You won't see a grit rating on an oilstone as far as I know. Feeling the stone can be deceptive as far as knowing what it actually does to the metal. I'm guessing that your combo stone is an India stone. Not sure that would work for what you are trying to achieve.

Same thing with your finisher, feel can deceive you.

Post some pics and someone can ID what you are working with.

As for the strop. I think replacement is a good plan.

If you want, I'll help you out and hone one of your razors. Just ship to me and I'll send it back honed. Or maybe send to a pro.

Originally Posted by racerfozzy

I'm not entirely sure of the grit of the stone it 'feels' like 4k/8k but there is no grit stamp..it just says 'Norton'. Its brown and dark grey in colour.

That's probably a carborundum / medium india combination stone (oops, i just noticed the last response told you that). The fine side *could* be a fine india, which is not a razor finisher but is miles finer than a medium india, and could conceivably be a prepolisher once broken in.

Even at that, you'd have to go finisher on slurry and then clear water if you had a decent finisher.

Never discount the ability of a crappy or dirty (either one) strop's ability to ruin your edge, either. The feel of a stone can be deceptive in terms of guessing the grit of a final finisher. If you have a finisher that is really above 12k, it will leave a bright polish on an edge with clear water, and you'll se no scratches on the bevel at all wth a naked eye, and no glints of particles on the edge of the razor when you flash it around in different directions in the light.

The first sign of overhoning is when the edge breaks down mid way into the shave making you feel the need to strop before you're finished.

If the edge isn't honed properly and feels harsh or feels you may want to strop the razor to compensate as well...

Both issues need to be fixed...

Thanks guys! I've found out it is ineed a combination India Oilstone so might be ok for setting the bevel, I aquired it from a workshop that was clearing out it's in pretty good condition (as new).

My finishing stone is Welsh fine stone and does put a very shiny finish on the bevel I just don't think I'm getting the bevel in the right condition before I go to the finishing stone. I think I really need to put a Norton 4/8 in between the two..trouble is I'm finding they're quite scarce from my usual sources is there a more popular UK equivalent?

Thanks very much to mjsorkin for the offer of honing mine that's very much appreciated but I really want to carck this myself, I'm a hobbyist so happy when I'm messing...

Thanks all for the info..

Oh, didn't realize you are in the UK. In that case shipping to me might not be worth it. And I totally understand wanting to take care of it yourself. That said there are some UK guys you can send out to should you desire.

If you want the 4/8, then I think it's worth seeking out. Another great option might be Naniwa 3/8k. If you can't find a UK vendor then maybe one of the US vendors will ship.

Either way I'm sure a little searching will find what you are looking for. When you actually get the stone, it should be able to do everything you need. I recommend shaving after 8k before starting in with your natural finisher.

Good luck and let me know how it turns out.

Michael

Oh, didn't realize you are in the UK. In that case shipping to me might not be worth it. And I totally understand wanting to take care of it yourself. That said there are some UK guys you can send out to should you desire.

If you want the 4/8, then I think it's worth seeking out. Another great option might be Naniwa 3/8k. If you can't find a UK vendor then maybe one of the US vendors will ship.

Either way I'm sure a little searching will find what you are looking for. When you actually get the stone, it should be able to do everything you need. I recommend shaving after 8k before starting in with your natural finisher.

Good luck and let me know how it turns out.

Michael

Thanks Micheal;

All the hits I get for 4/8 and Naniwa stones are US sites, which is fine but on occasions when I've ordered stuff from the states before I've been hit with import tax...which is ouchy!

There are both stones on the US Amazon site (not UK) so maybe if I order from there it might scoot in under the import tax radar? Who knows...I'll post up when I do ..

Thanks again

Chris.

Hi Chris,

There are folks planning meetups in the UK; maybe one is close to you. You can get great hone and honing advice from them. Check out the threads at The Parlour | General Razor/Shaving Discussion | Get Togethers and Meetings.

There have been a lot of posts lately about a three-stone set of Welsh hones, and one of those might close the gap between what you've got and what you're trying to achieve. Since I'm content with my current hone collection, I haven't paid really close attention tothe names. Check them out in the Hones or Honing threads.

Best wishes to you