Thread: Very Simple Question

Hello

This is a very basic question, but I am a bit puzzled.

Have just purchased and recieved my first real straight razor, i was previously using the disposable type by Wahl. I bought through the internet and had it sent away to be sharpened. I bought a strop and have used the strop(perhaps incorrectly). In any case it the shave is neither smooth nor close. It grabs and pulls, regardless of the length of my beard. In fact the shave was closer and smoother and generally nicer with the disposable. Does this need to be honed again...this time properly. I thought that by getting this done when I bought the razor(through their honing service it would arrive shave ready and that I just had to strop it. Also, if it does require further honing, are there any members from Sydney(Aust) who know anyone. Thx I.S

Chances are,you've rolled your edge with improper stropping technique.It's a common problem with newer members.Many honemeisters request that you DON'T strop the razor after they've honed it for just this reason.It will most likely have to be re-honed.There are a few members from down under.Onimaru55 is the first one who comes to mind.He is a restorer and can probably help.

If it arrived shave ready, you shouldn't have needed to strop it. It is very possible that you fouled up the edge due to improper stropping, but the pulling could just as easily be due to improper technique. It is hard for anyone to tell exactly what went wrong without knowing the entire process you went through.

Drew

Being a little pushy, everyone of us honing and sending shave ready blades to customers should tape a note to the razor saying...

Don't strop before using!

This is a signficant and common problem as we all know.

Austraillia's a big place, and we do have several member's. Oz from Oz come to mind.
There's a possibility that it's your technique, or angle. A more common problem with new str8 shavers. Best to see if there are any members by you, and have your blade checked...

Welcome to SRP! Here's a link to the Wiki where you can find answers to many of your questions regarding all things straight:
Straight Razor Place Wiki

Originally Posted by ItalianShaver

Hello

This is a very basic question, but I am a bit puzzled.

Have just purchased and recieved my first real straight razor, i was previously using the disposable type by Wahl. I bought through the internet and had it sent away to be sharpened. I bought a strop and have used the strop(perhaps incorrectly). In any case it the shave is neither smooth nor close. It grabs and pulls, regardless of the length of my beard. In fact the shave was closer and smoother and generally nicer with the disposable. Does this need to be honed again...this time properly. I thought that by getting this done when I bought the razor(through their honing service it would arrive shave ready and that I just had to strop it. Also, if it does require further honing, are there any members from Sydney(Aust) who know anyone. Thx I.S

Have you watched Lynn's video? It very well could answer a lot of your questions. It is very educational and informative...and can be used to convert other non-SR users

Hi

I think that I did over strop....

My new question is this. Can i strop the rolled edge back into shape or do I have to get it re honed.

Thx

Originally Posted by ItalianShaver

Hi

I think that I did over strop....

My new question is this. Can i strop the rolled edge back into shape or do I have to get it re honed.

Thx

A pasted strop may help get your SR to where you can shave with it, but re-honing will be in the near future...sorry for the bad news. Keep that strop tight w/ very little to no pressure on the blade. This is why a stropping paddle is effective for some SR users. Still, no pressure if you opt for a paddle some day.

Visualize that your edge should look like this: "\/" If you don't keep your strop tight & it curves up behind the blade, your edge will look like: "U" Kind of crude, but I'm sure you can get the idea.

Originally Posted by zib

Austraillia's a big place, and we do have several member's. Oz from Oz come to mind.
There's a possibility that it's your technique, or angle. A more common problem with new str8 shavers. Best to see if there are any members by you, and have your blade checked...

+1. You may have stropped improperly and rolled your edge but IME over stropping isn't going to be an issue. If you can find a member near you that would be ideal.

One way or the other ..... take the razor and hold it above your forearm and brush the edge against the hair without touching the skin. Does it cut the hair easily ? If it is still shave ready it should 'pop' the hairs off..... IME.

If it does not try shaving a patch of hair on your forearm or calf touching the skin. If it doesn't do that it is in need of honing again. If it does shave the hair try stropping say 30 linen and 30 leather carefully and try the first forearm test again.