Thread: Stupid mistake

Every so often I read a thread about some noob who has nicked his strop and i think with condescending arrogance I wouldn't do that. I would think how could anyone anyone be so stupid as to nick a strop. It's so simple, move the razor spine first.

Well, tonight I feel a bit stupid. While stropping in preparation for the nightly shave I somehow left a deep gash across the middle of my strop.

Maybe the razor was angry with me because I was considering selling some to raise money to buy tea.

So I have just purchased a new strop from straight razor designs, but I still have no idea how I nicked my strop or how anyone else could do it.

It's a mystery. With a good result it sounds like. I think that, given the circumstances, it just happens when our minds are not really engaged.

Last year, as I was driving, I was thinking about all the stupid people driving around me like crazy who couldn't drive. I barely made it through an intersection without hitting all the crazy people around me.

In deep thought on the subject I subsequently drove into the curb while turning. I flattened my tire and jammed the rim into the axle so hard I needed a hammer to bang it off.

No more deep thoughts for me.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

it just happens when our minds are not really engaged.

+1. I have nicked a few superficially and one with a deep gash. Contact cement fixed the deep one and the only thing that remained damaged was my pride.

Concentration is the key. I'm pretty good when it comes to strops, or lucky I guess. I've had a few mishaps over the years. The last one was my Long English Bridle, one of my favs btw. I had an argument with a guy at work the night before, and it was still on my mind. He's an A**hole. Anyway, Never strop angry....Anyway, The English Bridle got it pretty bad...Another member here was able to make me a paddle out of the remains...
Thanks Kelly...aka Nun2sharp....

Yup, I did buy another English Bridle...

i have done it couple times.
i this is what happens.
you do strop for such long time and get confident what you do.
Not pay attention and strop.
Ones i cut my strop so badly i couldn't believe myself i did it . i was stropping away from my self and forget to flip the blade and oops .
Happens.
better luck next time.

It's so easy. Very reassurring to see that I'm not the only one.

It's them evil spirits. They be all around us just a waitin for the right opportunity to appear and cause mayhem.

Been there. I cut Tony Miller strop badly after year and half. I almost cried. Honestly.

I have been a bloodthirsty destroyer of strops. 'Definitely not proud of that, but it's true. There are probably dozens more areas where I've done similar ghastly errors. I posted on a thread by Lawsonstone with similar arrogance/comeuppance about carnage from a spike point. Sigh.

Posting about your error shows alot of class in my book. It's so easy for the noob to think they're the only ones to screw up. 'Just looking at the experience level from the guys that have responded to this thread should be a comfort - many of them are the best-skilled guys here.

'Very sorry to hear of the wound to you fine pc of leather. We takes our lumps. 'Hope it's not fatal to the strop, and that you are kind to yourself about your errors.

Yep, I've done it too. I made a point of keeping my practice strop until I was totally happy with my stropping, then I got an SRD strop.

Things were fine for weeks until one day I was a little distracted and bam - one sliced strop. Very annoying!