Thread: Stropping a wedge

I have a 5/8 wedge that was recently honed with two layers of tape. If I am using a paddle strop will the edge get hit correctly with my post shave stropping or do I need to tape the spine to strop it? Here is the razor, a sweet shaving Abrams and Son:

I would expect that you wouldn't need tape. In your position, I would try without tape for a number of shaves, then once with tape. If with tape is much better, then you know you need it.

Your paddle, should flex enough to reach the edge, unless it is very thin, like Kangaroo glued to a flat board. A hanging strop will easily flex to reach the edge.

If you think it is an issue, run a sharpie lightly on the edge of the razor, this will ink both side of the bevel, about a 32nd down from the edge. Then strop and see if the ink comes off. You can remove any ink on your strop with a paper towel sprayed with WD40, if it bothers you.

A single sheet of wet copy paper will flex enough, under lapping film to polish about one third of a bevel, from the edge down, thicker leather will flex much more. Do not add pressure that will just cause more problems.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Your paddle, should flex enough to reach the edge, unless it is very thin, like Kangaroo glued to a flat board. A hanging strop will easily flex to reach the edge.

If you think it is an issue, run a sharpie lightly on the edge of the razor, this will ink both side of the bevel, about a 32nd down from the edge. Then strop and see if the ink comes off. You can remove any ink on your strop with a paper towel sprayed with WD40, if it bothers you.

A single sheet of wet copy paper will flex enough, under lapping film to polish about one third of a bevel, from the edge down, thicker leather will flex much more. Do not add pressure that will just cause more problems.

Help me a little on this ,, won't the sharpie dull my edge, or is this something to check before honing only Tc

I will try to strop it sans tape and see if it works. Unfortunately I won't find out if the answer is "add tape" until the shave quality diminishes! I know the best answer is to use a hanging strop, but I have no clue where that box is since we just moved

If the leather is thick on the paddle strop it probably has enough give in the surface to follow the bevel angle. So I don't think you will need to tape in that case.

Bob

Won't the sharpie dull my edge?

Yea, probably… would be similar to Corking an edge, but the sharpie lightly on the edge and you will probably strop back any sharpness you may have lost by corking.

Yes, as a test, just do it before honing to see if your paddle will reach the edge.

Corking an edge would be doing what?

Lightly running an edge on a cork or block of felt to remove or straightens a burr or fin, or for double edge razor blades dull the edge of an aggressive blade for comfort.

A common knife procedure for burr removal where a smooth edge is not as much of an issue.

Not really recommended for straight razors, stropping can more easily tailor an edge and remove a burr and straighten an edge without breaking them off.

That makes sense, I use a pine block for that purpose for my knives but never thought about trying it on razors because of potential edge damage.