Spine scratching strop

Hi folks,

I got a new Ralf Aust in the mail yesterday from SRD. After shaving with it this morning, I stropped, and the edge of the spine at the toe end is so sharp that it scratched my strop. Should I lightly sand the edge with some fine sandpaper so that it isn't quite as sharp, or do you recommend something else? I know I wasn't scratching the strop with the shaving edge, as I've never had this happen with any other razors and I could see small flecks of leather on the spine edge of the blade.

Also, do I need to sand the scratches out of my strop? They aren't particularly deep.

Thanks!

It would not hurt to lightly sand (3000 grit) the end of the spine where the hone surface meets the end. Sometimes honing may cause a very crisp grind to do that. Not unusual and thanks for bringing the problem here where others may learn from it also.

Another spot to check is the shoulder at the heel. Some may get very sharp after a few honings or may even start out that way. That can shred the near side of a strop in a hurry.
~Richard

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Originally Posted by Geezer

It would not hurt to lightly sand (3000 grit) the end of the spine where the hone surface meets the end. Sometimes honing may cause a very crisp grind to do that. Not unusual and thanks for bringing the problem here where others may learn from it also.

~Richard

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^^^^ What Richard said :)

Just a light touch with high grit sandpaper and you should be good to go

I would try just a little hand rubbing with the heel of your hand on the strop first before getting drastic

Geezer said it perfectly so I only can point out the obvious...
The flecks of leather on the spine will flag for you the location where you may need to sand. I say may because some leathers will leave residue on a perfectly smooth spine.

Thanks for the feedback! I'll have to go buy some 3000 grit; the finest I have is 1500.

I have a couple of razors with spinework that has sharp edges that I have to tape before I strop. This might be an alternative to sanding a new razor if that makes you uncomfortable.

Pete <:-}

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Originally Posted by Moonshae

Thanks for the feedback! I'll have to go buy some 3000 grit; the finest I have is 1500.

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Assuming that there isn't gold wash or any special finish, 1500 is not going to hurt anything IMO.

No gold wash or anything on the edges. I used 2000, since that was the finest I could find. took a little while, but got it softened to the point that it no longer scratches the strop.

Is it a RA with a sculpted spine perhaps????

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Originally Posted by Michael70

Is it a RA with a sculpted spine perhaps????

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I wondered that too as I have one of those on order.

Sounds like the RA I just bought. Did the same thing and I almost flipped my lid. I'm new to this so my strop isn't expensive and I noticed as I stropped a few times it quit scratching, I'm assuming due to dulling the particular portion. Mine is a RA 6/8 French Point. I have to really pay attention when I strop, but again, the initial session or two did leave some make, not deep, but if it were a nice strop....yeah; something to look at.

v/r,

Charlie

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Originally Posted by SteveA

I wondered that too as I have one of those on order.

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It's the 7/8" French point with horn scales from SRD. It does have a decorated spine.

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Originally Posted by Moonshae

It's the 7/8" French point with horn scales from SRD. It does have a decorated spine.

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That's nearly the same razor I have on order. Thanks for the heads up!

-Steve

Instead of sandpaper you can also use some of the high grit nail files used more for polishing than cutting. My wife picks them up for me at a beauty supply store.

Precisely the reason I no longer obtain SR's with spine work.

Which is sad.

Because I love spine work.

It definitely wasn't the spine work causing the problem, just the spine edge at the toe end was a bit too sharp. The little sanding I did handled the problem, and now this razor is my daily workhorse. There's nothing wrong with 5/8, but there's something really nice about a substantial 7/8.

You may also want to just strop the spine on the back of the strop a couple hundred times with any new razor having sharp edges on the spine. Sort of test drive it on the rough side to see what happens.
Disclaimer :::: I have never owned a new razor under 70 years old :<0)

How did it leave SRD in that condition? How was that not noticed when they stropped it? You should not have to take sandpaper to a brand new razor professionally honed.