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Just ordered this strop from vintagebladesllc.com:
http://vintagebladesllc.com/vshop/xc...cat=102&page=1
I'm a newb (ordered the 5/8" DOVO classic black straight as well), and I want to make sure I use the strop properly for my first LEGITIMATE straight razor shave (been using a disposable straight for a few weeks due to budget haha).
I ordered the straight pre-honed, but what should I do for my shave when I need to use the strop? Do I strop before every shave? What about during shaves?
Generally you strop before each shave and go. If your stubble is particularly tough, you can strop between passes. I've never had to do it, even with a week's worth of stubble.
Some folks recommend that your first shave with the pre-honed razor
is done without stropping. This is ensure that you have not dulled or
rolled the edge with improper stropping, and to provide a reference
point for future (stropped) shaves. Otherwise, strop before every shave.
- Scott
Thanks for the feedback guys...
In terms of when I do strop:
a) Is 20-25 strops usually the guideline?
b) Do I use an "x" type pattern or straight?
I usually do 60 complete passes before shaving. I also do an X pattern but many will tell you they don't do the X pattern and some do fewer passes and some more its really a YMMV type thing. Try experimenting and see what works best for you.
I use about 40-60 laps and the x-pattern before each shave.
I also like sebell's suggestion if this will be your first shave with a straight.
I do about 10 on linen and 30 on leather unless the blade had been touched up recently, in which case, the first stropping is 15 and 35.
Gags,
The number of strokes on leather and linen are to large extent a personal thing. Good advice, huh? It really depends on pressure, speed, and tautness of strop. And maybe the sharpness of edge. I have several strops of an admirable assemblage of vintages and all those with "linen" components have an admirable assemblage of coatings and textures. Since leather is pretty much leather, within the range of 20-60 strokes you will find what works the best for you. Your Rindleder (what's a Rind, by the way?) has a pretty smooth linen side which should treat your razors gently and may not be necessary to use before each shave - maybe just when the blade begins to tug on the stubble a bit.
Some of my strops have "linen" of a texture that would put a Berber carpet to shame. Thus I am reluctant to try the really lumpy linen on what is supposedly a rather delicate piece of really thin steel. Perhaps I am being over protective of that reported delicate edge, but I am now just beginning to figure out how to hone one of these devices and at this point don't need to challenge my kindergarten skills. And just stropping on leather has seemed to work OK for me thus far.
To get all the edge in contact with the strop, you will need to use a X pattern stroke since the strop is only about 1 3/4" wide and your razor's blade is somewhere in the vicinity of 3" long. You don't need to exaggerate the X, only enough X to get the toe of the razor inside the edge of the strop by the end of the stroke is needed.
Lynn does the honing for Jim Ayars at Vintage Blades and a PM to him may better answer your specific questions.
Good luck,
That's pretty much what I've found works for me as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT
Quote:
Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT
Same here,it realy work for me too.
RPR.
You'll get the feel for how often to strop - that 5/8 dovo blade is probably good for an entire shave. I have to strop mid-shave with a double hollow ground or if I haven't prepped and soaked my beard for long enough.
Definitely the first shave should be with NO stropping since it's pre-honed. Remember it well, that's your benchmark for that razor. You might be able to get through the first couple shaves without stropping.
When you do strop the first time, pull the leather real tight and give it about three strops and try a shave pass. If it feels about the same, keep going with your stropping. If it pulls a lot more or otherwise seems to have gotten duller then STOP and read more posts in the 'strops' forum.
It's remarkably easy to ruin an edge on a piece of leather if you do it wrong. When you get it right, it might not even take the 30 recommended passes. I do about 10-15 before a shave and it works.