Thread: Stropping razors with different handle shapes

Originally Posted by Jack0458

I'm getting about half way decent at stropping my razors with "normal" shaped handles. I'm looking at a razor with a handle with a little more curve in the handle and the handle is much wider at the end. How much difficulty have any of you guys had flipping the razor when they have non-standard shaped handles. I'm sure prior experience makes a big difference. Being still a newbie I'm wondering about it. The razor I'm looking at really looks good to me. While I don't look forward to going backwards in my stropping ability with a new razor I wouldn't want a lack of skill to dictate which razor I buy.

I had a Dovo La Forme which has a curved handle. Loved shaving with it but it was a real pain to strop. I never did get it down to easy. It went bye bye and I miss it because it was a great shaver and felt good in my hands ( until I stropped it)

Actually, this is a great thread and I'm surprised we haven't talked about this more.

Odd shaped scales and scales that have too much material past the hinge pin can be a total pain to not only strop daily, but to hone as well. The LaForme is a great example of the perfect storm. It has a thumb notch tang and a very odd shaped scale. Agree that it is a great looking razor and a really nice shaver, but I hate seeing them when I open up boxes for the days honing.

The loose pivot pin problem mentioned is very big pain for both honing and stropping as are tangs that are too long, too short or too thick or that have a thumb notch that really doesn't give you any place for a balanced stroke when stropping or honing. All of the above, especially for new guys caused the dreaded nicked strop syndrome...... Another interesting thing that can throw you off is how the razor is set into the scales. If there is a cant to the razor, even if it fits well into the scales, it will effect your stropping and honing.