Thread: Seeking guidance from afar

Hey

I have a favor to ask of anyone willing to help. I just received a few razors which were shave ready and I shaved with them for about 5 days and they were fantastic!
However, the blade (IMO) dulled over the course of these 5 days and the only thing I can think of is that I am dulling the edge with an improper stropping technique. I have since taken the razor to a pasted strop to restore the edge again and this morning it was a great shave.

I fear my stropping will continue to degrade my razors and result in me doing more work than I need to.... SO.....

Would anyone consider watching a video I have to observe my stropping technique and offer any guidance/advice? If you are willing, please shoot me a Private Message with your email address and I will send you the video.

Thank a bunch!

You could post the video here and I bet a lot of guys would advise you on it.

That's probably a better idea. Opening it up to the entire group for viewing is probably more practical... I hope the video is decent enough to observe. If not, please let me know and I'll try to possibly film it differently, different angle, etc.

I would appreciate any help from you more experienced guys.

Depends how much it has dulled. If I'm using a razor every day for a week, I usually need to do a light touch up at the end of the week to get the razor nice and sharp again.

Of course, I'm still in the process of learning too (and will continue learning for the foreseeable future it seems), so perhaps I'll look back at this in another 6 months and say, gosh I was stropping horribly. However, I've seen posts from experienced members talking about doing touchups once a week as well, so maybe you're not as bad off as you think...

Someone correct me if I'm way off.

I can't see the video. Feel free to PM if you'd prefer.

I've corrected the link. SOrry

Technique looks good. Don't stop. I think you may need a little more pressure and action. You've got a good post honing stropping technique when the blade is the most fragile, but as the blade is worn in you need more action. So work on keeping the same technique but adding a little more speed and pressure. As the razor moves along the strop it should produce a gentle wave down the leather.

I agree with AFDAVIS 11 more pressure and speed. If that's your normal stropping for daily shaving your not unleashing the potential of the blade or the strop. From what I see your far from folding the edge.

Keep the strop tight and most of the pressure on the spine and the edge will follow. With the right amount of pressure and more speed I bet 50 to 100 laps would bring a decent shaving edge back. If it takes more laps then try another 50 or another 100. At least you'll be practicing.

I'm not sure what strop that is but, I know with mine I get a distinct sound when stropping on horsehide or oil tanned blacksmith leather. There's some decent stropping videos on youtube you might want to check out.

I saw the same thing as AFDavis and twogun -- it seems that your pressure (on the spine) is _very_ light. So the pressure on the edge is even lighter.

Try slightly more pressure, so that the strop bends a bit more around the spine. [As you know, you shouldn't see it bend around the edge]. Run 50 - 100 laps, and see if the edge improves.

I don't know if stropping _faster_ would make a difference -- but (IMHO) it's more likely that you'll nick your strop if you speed up!<g>

Pasted strops hide a lot of sins.<g>

. Charles

Thank you very much for your feedback. I have increased the pressure and speed and have seen very positive resuylts. The edge is coming back and the shaves are much more consistent now! I guess I was a little too worried about the pressure since most of the videos the author says little-to-no pressure. I know now that i need more pressure and this was indeed the fact as I am seeing better results.

Thank you so much for your replies. I appreciate your time and knowledge. One day - when I become more seasoned... I will pass along the same to others...