Thread: uneven strop ?

Hi, and first of all thanks for all the information provided in this forum !

I recently bought a straight razor, and have been trying to get it sharp enough for shaving. To that end I bought a 4 sided pasted paddle strop with 3.0, 1.0, 0.5 and 0.25 micron diamond paste. I also have a japanese 1000/6000 waterstone, an old barberhone that I think is made of slate, and a strop of course.

I have been getting poor results with the pasted strop, and I think I found a possible reason (other than bad technique): when I hold the razor flat on the paddle strop and to the light, I can see a gap in the middle, so the razor only touches the strop at the sides. Also, when using it off the 6k waterstone I can see the mirror finish develops unevenly (and if I try using straight strokes instead of the x pattern, the mirror finish only develops near the heel and toe of the razor.)

It varies among sides how much of a gap, but no more than 1mm on any side, and on some sides it only at one end. Initially I thought it just needed to be broken in, but I've tried to the point of each side beginning to blacken noticably so I'm afraid I need to take some other action to make it work.

Do you think the strop can be fixed ?

My razor is a DOVO Black Star, carbon steel and brown pakkawood handle, it's very nice :-D

I was thinking maybe i could flatten it with sandpaper on a mirror, like I do the hones, but then I'd need to reapply paste. Do you think it'll leave an adequate surface exposed for sharpening ?


Thanks !

Just a thought, have you checked to make sure your blade isn't warped?

I'd be glad to take a look at it if you like.


Even if uneven <g> and X-pattern should create even wear across the blade as at some point evey inch of the blade would still contact the high spots.

While no paddle can be perfectly flat slight variations really cause no issues as the blade will make full contact at some point. High edges though do indicate an issue which I'm glad to correct.

Tony

Originally Posted by dodi

Hi, and first of all thanks for all the information provided in this forum !

I recently bought a straight razor, and have been trying to get it sharp enough for shaving. To that end I bought a 4 sided pasted paddle strop with 3.0, 1.0, 0.5 and 0.25 micron diamond paste. I also have a japanese 1000/6000 waterstone, an old barberhone that I think is made of slate, and a strop of course.

I have been getting poor results with the pasted strop, and I think I found a possible reason (other than bad technique): when I hold the razor flat on the paddle strop and to the light, I can see a gap in the middle, so the razor only touches the strop at the sides. Also, when using it off the 6k waterstone I can see the mirror finish develops unevenly (and if I try using straight strokes instead of the x pattern, the mirror finish only develops near the heel and toe of the razor.)

...

Do you think the strop can be fixed ?

My razor is a DOVO Black Star, carbon steel and brown pakkawood handle, it's very nice :-D

...

Thanks !

My guess is that since you are getting eneven results on two surfaces... Chopper may very well be right and there is a warp in the blade.
is the gap visible when you try both sides of the razor on the surfaces?

Jim,
I'm thinking that even if the blade is warped the narrow paddle (cupped or not) would help a warped blade as it has less contact area so would follow the cup easier than a wide flat stone.

Every once in a while one of these will get a slight cup in it where the edges stand a little proud of the middle. I check each side before shipping in several places with a steel straight edge but variables can make things move...humidity, sitting in a 100deg mail truck in July <g>, etc.....
I pretty much ruined a hanging strop of mine by letting it sit in the back seat of my car on a 4 day business trip last spring. Days of high heat and direct sun baking it (and a few suppliers bending it the wrong way) seemed to have not done it any good.

Tony

I did a few further tests with a steel ruler. With that, only one of the sides has discernible cupping, and I'd say it's neglible. I then checked the back of the razor with the steel ruler and indeed it seems to be slightly uneven. Not much but enough to be visible against the light. I also checked the stone I have been using but it seems completely flat. (I don't know if what I've got is actually a steel ruler - it's one of those used to ensure 90 degree angles for carpenters etc. It is mad of steel though. I wouldn't put my head on the block that it's made to a greater accuracy than the razor.)

I'd be glad to take a look at it if you like.

Thanks, but I'm beginning to think it may be my technique that is to blame more than any irregularities in the paddle. I agree entirely that it ought not cause irregular wear when using the x pattern.

I might try to get a picture of the paddle and steel ruler held to the light later today to get your opinion.