Thread: slap sound at roll over/reversal

I tend to get that slap mostly when stropping a wider blade. If I've used a 5/8...6/8 for a while I get used to a flip that's easy and smooth without much slap on them, and once I go to a 7/8...8/8, etc. and try to flip them at the same speed and rhythm as the narrower blades I usually get the slap. I think it's due to the increased width and flip speed of the edge.

I usually slow down the flip and finish it even more after the start of the stroke reversal.

If it hurts the edge or not....I'm not sure. I remember reading something on the forum about it possibly damaging the edge, but that could have been the flipping on a hone.

Either way, I try to avoid a hard...slapping flip, but that's just me. And, as the "Tip of the Month" says "YMMV" http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...2015-ymmv.html

Regards,

Howard

It's the sound barrier :<0)

Originally Posted by SirStropalot

I tend to get that slap mostly when stropping a wider blade. If I've used a 5/8...6/8 for a while I get used to a flip that's easy and smooth without much slap on them, and once I go to a 7/8...8/8, etc. and try to flip them at the same speed and rhythm as the narrower blades I usually get the slap. I think it's due to the increased width and flip speed of the edge.

I have the same experience. Slap sound is only with blades that are 7/8 or 8/8. I feel it is more because of the larger and thicker tang which is more challenging to roll in my fingers as well as the added momentum of the wider blade as it turns. I've come to this conclusion based on two factors. 1) the thinner spines on smaller blades tend to roll between my fingers like a pencil would and the turn is more effortless. 2) I have an 8/8 Brian Brown custom that has a rounded shank which makes it incredibly easy to flip without the slap. Not so with my other 8/8 blades.

I find I often use a bit of wrist action when turning the larger blades to avoid the slap. I have no idea if it the slap is harmful to blade or strop but I like the silent strop approach more.

I smell a crop of, “How do I repair my cut premium leather strop?” threads…

I truly dig the sound of a slap with heavy grinds on a hanging strop. I try to be lighter on the thinner ones, though!

slapping sound wont hurt it. Ive been shaving for years with 6/8-8/8 razors, they usually slap when I turn them, doesn't hurt them any

Hi KenG,

You're doing good. Since you're careful to have the razor moving in the direction of the spine by the time the edge touches the strop, the slapping sound isn't doing any damage. I'm old enough to have watched the barbers at our neighborhood shop stropping their razors. Most did so with at least a little slapping sound. Their razors were sharp and their strops were undamaged.

Regards,
Jeff