Thread: Stropping questions

Rimnshvstr8,

Thanks for the reference and word of caution. I'll be sure to pay attention and avoid the higher pitched sound, if my edge sharpness starts to fall. But in my case, I think the duller sound indicates that only the first bevel is making contact; the higher sound, the second bevel (the real edge). I double taped the spine today, and stropped with no problem at all. HHT worked, and the shave was great. Seems to confirm my double-bevel suspicion. Nonetheless, your point is well taken! - Bill

Wow! Don't know whether I'm just getting the feel of stropping, or just better understanding what's required, but my stropping results in smooth shaves now (at least with one razor). Stropping is almost Zen-like for me now. What a relief! - Bill

“Think my problem may be related to a double bevel in my blade.”


No, the double bevel has nothing to do with it. The amount of deflection that is needed to overcome a double bevel is less than the thickness of a piece of paper. Remember the thickness of a piece of tape created the second bevel.

When honing on film, adding a piece of copy paper under the finishing film, only the front third of the bevel will be polished by the deflection of a single sheet of paper. It is a pressure issue, the downward pressure of the blade on the strop and a slight slackness of the strop.

If a flat, paddle strop can strop a bevel reaching the edge, tautness of the strop must have very little effect.

It is your calibration, of your pressure, keeping the razor’s spine on the strop and experience that will make a difference. Your idea of “a little pressure” and mine will be completely different.

In that case, I'm glad to have recognized the technique. My thanks to all who offered tips. It is wonderful to have an active and interested group here. For us NooBs, "your help" saves us from giving up before great shaves become the norm. However, we might blame you for RAD later - Bill

One thing to consider, The scratching sensation through the honing regimen could be because of the rough-finished upper bevel. Right next to where it was set and next to the original/made grind marks and all the 'history'! The upper bevel will sometimes keep the light scratching sensation longer.
Does not mean the bottom of the bevel is not good and smooth! Something I have noticed.
JMO

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Get a bit of draw. Using slack in the strop and torque is how to tune it. Period. Takes experience among many razors and strops to decide.
all are different. JMO.

Draw is a small issue sometimes overlooked. The very reason I make student/beginner strops from water buffalo with a specific finish. The draw helps the stropper both hear and feel what is happening with the blade, adjustments with hold and pressure are easier to recognize.