Do you turn your wrist...?
I found a document in the SRP library under "Documents" titled "1961 Barbering Text - Honing". I dont know how to post the link here so I will just quote what I found very valuable to me in helping with my stroping technique:
"The razor is held with thumb on top of the shank and rolled in the hand without moving the wrist. This not only makes for equal pressure on both strokes, but also makes the act more graceful and easy.
First learn to turn or flip the razor by holding it in one position without making the strokes.
After this act has become easy, proceed with the strokes slowly, as illustrated in....."
I realized I had been "turning my wrist", thus resulting in poor technique, causing me to tilt the razor occasionally while stroking. Hah-Hah! I got out my Feather, took out the blade, and began practising this technique. Instead of my thumb on the shank, I used my index finger(I'll try the thumb next time). I hold the scales in my fingers, with the back of my hand facing upwards, flipping with the finger next to my little finger(don't know what it's called) as I end each stroke. After about 150 practice passes, I had more control and I was no longer tilting the blade. The blade remained flat throuout all of my passes.
I can't tell you what this has done for my stroping technique, and I hope this helps any of you improve your stroping.
I feel this is so important! There is nothing worst than bringing a sharp razor in to the bathroom and ruining the shave by stroping improperly.
Are any of you turning your wrist while flipping your blade? - and is it successful for you? Any other suggestions that you use to keep your blade flat?
Steve