Thread: Folding the edge...

1. I hope that we can agree that lifting the spine while stropping is the culprit for the folded/rolled razors edge.

2. I wish Mr. Finnegan the best, but maybe he should try a strop that is held more tautly and then compare the result?

3. deflection, I use and teach that a strop that deflects about 1/2"-1" is about right.

4. I also make sure that the edge is "torqued" onto the leather. The number one error of new guys is to think that the edge will be easily damaged by stropping or honing.

Just my 2¢

#4 seems to run the risk of lifting the spine

Originally Posted by randydance062449

1. I hope that we can agree that lifting the spine while stropping is the culprit for the folded/rolled razors edge.

2. I wish Mr. Finnegan the best, but maybe he should try a strop that is held more tautly and then compare the result?

3. deflection, I use and teach that a strop that deflects about 1/2"-1" is about right.

4. I also make sure that the edge is "torqued" onto the leather. The number one error of new guys is to think that the edge will be easily damaged by stropping or honing.

Just my 2¢

Originally Posted by WW243

#4 seems to run the risk of lifting the spine

Well, I have been doing this for 9 years and have had no problem.

Originally Posted by Splashone

How much pressure/torque are you applying on your finisher?

The torque applied on the finisher is still more biased to the edge even at feather light contact.

Originally Posted by WW243

#4 seems to run the risk of lifting the spine

Yes the risk exists but it's all relative & once you work it out spine wear is greatly reduced & bevels can take minutes rather than hours.

I'm thinking someone doing it for 9 days might have a problem.

Originally Posted by randydance062449

Well, I have been doing this for 9 years and have had no problem.

From my experience, I rolled the edges on four of my blades when I started, and it was due to lifting the spine off the strop. That was also the main reason I nicked and cut up my first strop, from the blade landing incorrectly on the strop.

I went back, used a kitchen knife to get the movement down, slowed way, way down, and since then I've had no problem. If for some reason now I make a slip, I can pull out my loupe and check the edge and see if it's been rolled. But I would agree, spine stays on the strop, and speed kills.

Wow this thread has myself as a noob very very nervous ! Thank God all my straights shave like dream, and I strop everyday even being a noob ( I'm a Daily shaver )and practice is key.

Great pics and info. What is required here to fix that damage???

Originally Posted by Neckbone

Great pics and info. What is required here to fix that damage???

Just a standard honing session

1. Reset the bevel
2. Sharpen the edge
3. Polish the edge
4. Finish the edge

One of the razors had a slightly deeper chip that had to come out, so slightly longer on the bevel set

Many times corrective stropping can fix the edge, I like to think any damage caused by stropping, can be corrected by stropping, but it isn't an absolute truth

How is folding the edge prevented?

Spline: Keep the spline on the leather.
Speed: How slow can we go before it isn't stropping?

Any other tips?

I think I may have rolled my edge. I don't have the natural knack for stropping, so I see this frequently happening for a while. I'm considering getting myself a finishing stone. I'm also thinking of forgoing stropping because I can't afford to replace my strops when I scrape them with a rolled edge.