Thread: How do I know if I am doing this right?

I have watched both of Lynns videos on stropping and really try and mimic the sound his blade produces, that "Swwwiiiccckkkkk" sound. Well I guess I feel that I am doing ok going really slow and just focusing on not nicking my stop and timing the flips right. I guess my question is if it still passes the HHT with my roommates super fine hair non the less, it should be shave ready right. I am still working on how to make a video with my cell phone so someone can look at my technique to tell me if I'm doing something wrong.

The sound can tell you if the bevel is in contact with the strop. Not all blades make the same sound on a strop though, and some make very little sound. The important thing is that you recognize the sound that your razor makes when the bevel is on the strop. Play around with it. Do a couple strokes with just the spine in contact and notice how that sounds and feels. Then do a couple with the bevel in contact and just enough pressure to hear the bevel on the leather. You want just enough pressure to make that sound. A little more pressure will not hurt anything but try to keep it light.

Thinner grinds will really sing on the strops, and thicker ones will make just a whisper. You have to learn the feel of a razors edge lightly making contact. As long as your spine is in constant contact, and you're not cutting the strop or rolling the edge, you're on your way.

If you can still shave with it after stropping you are probably doing it right.

Thanks so much for the replies, I check it very closely looking for the fine white line on the edge, learned from a video to see rolled edges. The thing also pops hairs on my arm about half way up. Just really hope I am not learning bad habits.

Yup, if you are getting a smooth comfortable shave after stropping your razor you are doing it right. If the razor feels duller or uncomfortable after stropping you are doing it wrong. Do not worry about speed that will come in due time.

Bob

I wouldn't worry too much if the sound doesn't exactly match the video. For one, videos don't typically reproduce sounds exactly as they were. Each razor will have its own unique sound, and each strop will have a different sound with each razor. In time you'll get an ear for your razors on your strop. Like BobH said, slow & steady wins the race. Just take your time, focus on light, even pressure, steady strop tension, and go slow enough to have consistent strokes in both directions. Muscle memory will kick in eventually and you'll be able to speed up.

If you can get some video of yourself stropping that'll be your best diagnostic tool. Not necessarily posting them online either, simply playing them back and watching them yourself will help a lot.

Don’t go by the sound, as said, and don’t put too much into hair test.

The shave is what matters.

Keep the spine on the strop, at all times. Use light pressure, torqueing the blade lightly to keep the edge on the strop, vs downward pressure, and Stop, before you flip.

Go slow, speed does not improve an edge, 60 strokes per minute, (30 laps) is a good pace.

Hold the tang from the corners and flip with the fingers, not the wrist.

Keep in mind that it can take time to perfect stropping, your stropping and edges will be infinitely better a year from now.

I also wanted to ask if there is such a thing as stropping too much, Everytime I walk past my strop I want to practice lol

As long as you're doing it right, then no there isn't.