Thread: Stropping Weirdness...

Hey gents, I received a Westin Bros, Anchor Brand razor for an early Christmas present from a friend. Brought it home and cleaned it up fairly easily, honed it and preceded to give it run. But, as soon as I started to strop it, like the first draw, I noticed a weird grinding feel on my strop. At first I thought there was some thing on the strop, but no. Tried a few more, and just more grinding. Switched to a different razor and nothing at all. Then, two more and still nothing. Back to the new razor and grinding away. I've checked it out as thoroughly as I can and can't figure it out at all.. I thought maybe there was a burr or something but there isn't. no cracks either. It passed both the needle and fingernail tests fine. The only thing I can think of is that it looks like it has never been honed before. There is absolutely no hone wear. In fact, the edge of the spine comes to a fairly fine point where the grind ends. My initial thought was to just soften that edge but I'd hate to wear down the spine unnaturally.. Any ideas out there? Am I just missing something obvious here? I feel like I am..

I can only say that every time I strop a razor, it amuses me how each razor sounds and feels different. I know when I strop my Hart Steel, it feels like the razor is scratching the strop. I always check to make sure it's okay, and it always is. On the other hand, I strop my Filarmonica and it feels like the razor is perfectly suctioned to the strop with perfect draw.

I think every razor is different and it could be just that. As long as the spine is on the strop and no damage is being done, I would think it is just fine.

yeah, this seems different than that. I did notice that it started to discolor the edge of my strop so I stopped. Gotta get it figured out before I try again.

I know I have read something similar to this before and it was the spine that was causing the problem. It had developed an edge when they had honed it. From what I remember they did smooth out the spine ethier on their hone or with some sandpaper. Sorry I can't remember more or find the thread.

Have you got a microscope or an eye loupe ? Might be able to see something under magnification that you can't see with the naked eye. Also if you take the spine between fore finger and thumb can you feel any rough spots if you run your fingers over it ? If it was me I might try polishing the blade with some Maas or semichrome on a paper towel and then try it on the strop again.

You might be hitting the mid-bevel area too. I would move the blade slightly under bright light and see if the bevel area has two sections. This would be noted by a linear discolouration along the bevel.

Well, thanks for all the help guys.. I think I have it figured out. Here's the latest.. I just tried stropping slowly holding the edge a 1/4 in. off the strop. (only the spine touching) Still grinding. It really does have a harsh edge on the spine. I'm going to soften the back edge with some 2000grit wet paper and then polish it back up.. I think this should solve the problem. BTW, I have a more suede-like strop I tried it on and it was alot better there than on my shell strop but still not right. It's already good and sharp. The HHT is no match for this baby.. I just want to be able strop it on my normal strop w/o worrying about ruining it..

What is the needle test?

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

What is the needle test?

You take a pin or sewing needle and holding it at a 90 degree angle to the bevel you ease it down the belly of the blade past the bevel. If you have a rolled edge or a bur it will catch. Never tried it but I've seen it on a video some time ago.

Worked like a charm.. just lightly ran the 2000 on the sharp edge on the spine a few times and bingo.. no more grinding.. I had a great shave with it. I'm really happy with this razor. Great shaver.