Thread: Under Stropping

Originally Posted by Dragonfire

Yup this was THE learning curve for me. I came into straight shaving completely confident in my honing ability and sure enough that did not let me down. But it was the stropping that refines the edge that eluded me a bit. Looking at it under a magnifying lense made for high end optical system (I've no clue what but its great) I noticed as the 12k striations vanished the shave produced progressively less razor burn. Once they were no longer visible I got no more razor burn. Then came the leather,I can't see anything that small even under the glass but what I know is my razors go from a bit of tug to really fine stubble squeegee still with no razor burn. So the 50 pass minimum is warranted.

Yes I'm now one of the Seekers of the Perfect Edge cult.

Agreed.

If anything in my short experience I would share would be that the fundamentals are the most important. Stropping, proper care of the blade, brush, and proper technique in shaving and stropping. In my opinion, this should be the only thing a beginner should focus on for at least 3 months...in regards to stropping, I had to learn the hard way, and go back to basics in stropping after I was told I rolled the edges on several of my blades, and once that happens, your shaves will only be frustrating, and you'll keep going back to wondering why it shaves great for a shave or two when you get it back from being honed, and then it bites the dust again.

Also, investing in a loupe is a good thing to inspect your edges, seeing the actual edge can reveal much.