Thread: stropping and scales

Do you guys ever find that loose scales become a problem when trying to strop. It seems that even when I get new tight scales they get very loose in a few days and stropping becomes difficult..Anyone else experiencing this?

The scales on one of my razors are a little loose and the scales on my other are pretty snug. Stropping has never been any different with either one.

I grip the razor with 4 fingers. My index finger supports the bottom of the tang, my middle the pivot pin point and my ring finger supports the scales. My thumb rests on the other side of the tang where it meets with the tip of the scales and is only held tight enough to flip the blade on the leather when it reaches each end.I Let the razor roll on the spine instead of focusing on flipping the whole razor.

Yes loose scales can be an issue when stropping. It depends how you hold the razor and how experienced you are. Either way if the scales are loose it's prudent to have them tightened because shaving with lose scales can be hazardous to your health.

Are you holding the tang or the scales when you strop? Ideally you should hold the tang. That way, you avoid putting lateral pressure on the pivot, which can loosen it over time.

For me, I can't effectively strop a razor with a loose pivot, expecially on a strop with heavy draw. So a loose pivot means I'm not going to get a great shaving edge.

I just found that I can strop a lot better with lighter tigher scales (ie. My dovo Tortoise) I also have another razor with heavier G10 scales and stropping is definately and issue with that one.