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I admit I am new. I use a TM 3" latigo. I have been stropping for a month or more. Recently i find that my razor "sings" when I strop. The problem or not , is that to make it sing it feels as if the spine is ever so slightly raised. May be my imagination. Now it won't sing every pass but more and more it does. Oh my 6/8 sings easier than my 5/8. Interesting. Is this a good technique to get your razor to sing while stropping even if the spine is ever so slightly raised?
I'd say no. You should be able to hear the edge on the strop but probably shouldn't be raising the spine if you can avoid it.
Raised spine= roiled edge... no matter how melodious it sings!
Thanks. So If it sings and the spine is perfectly flat, that's ok. I'm not sure that the spine is slightly razed but I get the feeling that it may be. I should take a video of my stropping I guess.
It shouldn't sing. Look for a slight chip, likely near the tip.
All 3 of the razors I have been stropping lately have been singing. Sorry that I can't describe the sound better. Am I the only one that hears this sound when stropping? Would seem to be highly unlikely for all 3 razors to have a chip in the edge. The razors shave well. Maybe I am hallucinating.:gaah:Quote:
Originally Posted by AFDavis11
You could probably see a change in the color (lighter) of the strop if there was a chip or other problem with the razor as the problem is dragged accross the leather. That would definitely make for a different sound. It probably sings when the spine is against the leather, but the leather absorbs the vibration more because of the contact with the razor. I don't know if allowing the razor to vibrate (sing) is good for it or not. You could try stropping at an angle where it sings and compare the shave to stropping at an angle where it sings, but not let it sing (tape on the spine?/less tension on the strop?). Maybe somebody has done some kind of vibration testing with an ultrasonic cleaner.
That is actually an FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions - Straight Razor Place Wiki, answer courtesy of the venerable Lynn Abrams.
I had a similar issue a while back and got some good advice from the forumn. I rubbed my latigo strop with a pumice stone, not too hard just a very light rub. It roughned the surface of the strop, gave a noticably stronger draw and the razor noise reduced by half. I think the razor was somehow sticking and jumping on the strop to some small degree, the pumice stone really worked.
Regards
London
No, your right. Sounds like the strop then.Quote:
Originally Posted by mkevenson
I think the new-ness of the strop might have something to do with it, too. My new SRD 3" Red Latigo sang with every razor I put on it, regardless of technique. The strop also had very little draw. A couple weeks and a thousand or so passes later, the draw has really developed, and it only sings occasionally now. Usually only with my stainless blade.
The razor should hiss ... like a snake!!
Just went to the strop and hit it a few licks with a Sta Sharp. I have to agree with Yahoochiewatchie it is a hiss for me too.
:OT
Your reply here leaves me wondering if you have some sort of magnification to check your edges ? Having nothing to do with the 'singing'. If you don't you should get a hand held microscope or at least an eye loupe of maybe 30x. Very revealing and you will be amazed at what you can shave with. An edge can have micro chips that can't be seen with the naked eye.Quote:
Originally Posted by mkevenson
I knew that I had read that before just couldn't remember where or the specifics. Thanks. Guess I should have searched better before starting this thread.Quote:
Originally Posted by BeBerlin
I do have a 30x loop. 2/3 razors were purchased new and honed by Lynn and KenRup. I have not looked at the edges of these. I will tho.Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
There are actually Extra Full Hollows (my razors of choice) that are called singing razors....
I am assuming that yours are not these types of razor or you would not be asking the question...
For others reference a "Singing" blade will have and "ing" sound on the strop especially a smooth leather type....
So instead of the normal ZZZZzzzzzzzzzz sound.....
You will get more of a ZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzing sound...
So that means "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that zing ?" :rofl2:Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
I knew somebody was going to be all over that post :p...
Figures it was Jimmy of the fast hands..
Doo wap doo wap doo wap doo wap doo wap dooo wap doo wap doo wow :DQuote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
There are others keeping track... as of late, Glen has turned into a veritable juke box.Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
"shake, shake, shake, your razor"
"twist and shout"
"If it ain't got that zing"
...
So this thread has caused me to really start listening to the sound the strop makes for a couple days now.
My stainless Hess starts out with a Zing, changes to a hiss, then quiets down to about nothing when the edge is done.
My Puma 85 starts as a hiss, goes quiet, then develops more draw when the blade is done.
My Hill & Son starts out with a hiss, goes quiet, then changes over to Groove Thing when the blade is done.
This stropping stuff is cool. :)