Thread: 4 sided paddle

Matt

You have probably dulled the razor a little with the normal beginners mistakes using the strop to prepare your razor. The good news is that you have the perfect tool to fix that problem, you just have to get the hang of using it right.

I am not sure exactly what you are describing from Lynn's video. On a paddle you start with the toe off the side and move in a diagonal down the strop. then flip the razor on its spine and again starting with the toe off the strop move in a diagonal up the strop finishing each stroke with the toe on the strop. This is usually referred to as the X-pattern. Start slow and make each stroke even and identical to the last, keeping the blade flat to the strop. When I started out each stroke down then up the strop with the flips took over five seconds, now they are much faster, I didn't even notice the speed up as I still concentrate on consistency and flatness all the time.

I would think that if you give it one more shot and the shave doesn't get any better, you probably need to use one of the pasted sides to bring the edge back. Where to start and how many laps to use? I don't know, the best advice there is probably in your flier from Tony. Just be sure to try different angles with each stroke on your cheeks so you can experience the differing feels and then use whichever pulls the least for you. Even a slightly dull razor will tell what angle is the best.

The skipping you described is contributed to by a less than sharp blade but I have found that it is most often caused by now gripping the razor firmly enough. By firmly I don't mean pressure to your face just a firmer grip with your fingers, this keeps the razor steadier and often stops the skipping completely.


Good Luck
Tim

Be careful of the edge of the paddle while stropping. If you happen to lift the tip and drag the edge of the blade over the edge of the paddle, you can damage the shaving edge.

Look to your shaving technique as well. Adjusting your shaving and cutting angles for the different parts of your face can have a large effect on how easy it is for you to get a good shave.

Blade Angle:


Cutting Angle:


X

I am not sure I understand the cutting angle diagram.

Originally Posted by xman

Be careful of the edge of the paddle while stropping. If you happen to lift the tip and drag the edge of the blade over the edge of the paddle, you can damage the shaving edge.

Look to your shaving technique as well. Adjusting your shaving and cutting angles for the different parts of your face can have a large effect on how easy it is for you to get a good shave.

Blade Angle:


Cutting Angle:


X

I need to say this....

I shave today with this technique (the one in the second pic)

I'm really happy with this....it works great!

Originally Posted by vulcano

I need to say this....

I shave today with this technique (the one in the second pic)

I'm really happy with this....it works great!

Among many things that have improved my shave, the cutting angle stroke has got to be one of the absolute best things. I'm glad it made a difference for you.