Thread: Trouble Keeping Razor Open while Stropping

Sounds like you need a tighter pivot - the blade should never just 'fall shut' - very annoying for photos and of course somewhat dangerous.

The scale tightness doesn't matter. When stropping, one should lightly but firmly hold on to the tang, letting the scales go to a comfortable position in the palm. The scales are nothing more than a cover to protect the blade when put away; they are not required for stropping or shaving. If held correctly one can stop and shave with a razor that has no scales.

Parker,

I just put up a Vid about pinning a week or two ago, it actually shows what a SR user should own to keep their razors tight.. You however can use two table spoons and do it also... Just put one down on the counter bottom up and place the razor pin on top, then use the bottom of the other to gently tap the pins,,,, Alot man it does ding the spoons so be careful Moms and Wives get PISSED

gssixgun / Gemstar Customs - YouTube

that is a link to my youtube channel

Yes pins should be kept tight and there is a simple easy test for it, Hold the razor at the pins between thumb and forefingers blade up, hold loosely no pressure on the scales or pins.. Now flip the razor over, blade down, if the blade swings out then the pins are too loose...
Loose pins can cause all sorts of problems with the razor ...

To the OP, I've have this same problem with some of my razors and it's just like they say, the pins are a little too loose. I've found that with very heavy old English blades you can get away with it to some degree, but with hollower grinds you really don't want your scales moving around or you'll lose a lot of the "feel" you have between razor and leather. When that happens then your stropping quality will take a nosedive.

Read up on tightening your pins a bit and force yourself to use minimal force as you do it. Good luck!

The key to stropping is flipping the razor or rolling it on the spine to change directions. I like the picture of the grip Carl is using. Loose scales can be aggravating when stropping or honing for that matter, but the key is that the majority of the holding is in the tang. The scales are really more of a balance thing. Tightening the hinge pin always helps, but you have to be careful with older scales as they break sometimes just from looking at them.

Have fun

Shaving or weight lifting. Might not be as good as I once was but I'm good once as I ever was.
Have had the same problem... If its not the Carpal Tunnel sneaking up on me then its the pins. If you don't trust yourself to place one side on a hard surface and give the pin head on the other a couple light sacks with a small hammer then it a job for:"""Black Electrical Tape""". I just wrap a piece around the junction where it meets the handle and the problems solved!

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I was never good at bench presses, I'm a small fellow (75 kilos, 5 foot eight). Parker is clearly being self depreciating, he clearly knows a lot, he's obsessed, as we all are. I mean about stropping capability and knowledge, etc.

Parker, are you saying you miss gymnastics? Why aren't you doing gymnastics? I should have done gymnastics.

Thanks Carl!!!!

And yes, I do not do gymnastics anymore. There are a couple or reasons to it(yes I was saying I miss gymnastics.) First, I trained 21+ hours a week. I never had time for friends, or family activities because I was at the gym constantly. Secondly, my body couldn't take it in two ways. Firstly, I have all sorts of problems muscular wise that wouldn't usually see on kids my age. I may have to get knee surgery cause my knee is basically pulling apart and creating a new bone.... The other way it tolled my body was because I never got over sicknesses. I just didn't have the time to recover, and I could only miss so much gym before I couldn't keep up with all of the skills I needed. But, I dirgress.

Originally Posted by Lynn

The key to stropping is flipping the razor or rolling it on the spine to change directions. I like the picture of the grip Carl is using. Loose scales can be aggravating when stropping or honing for that matter, but the key is that the majority of the holding is in the tang. The scales are really more of a balance thing. Tightening the hinge pin always helps, but you have to be careful with older scales as they break sometimes just from looking at them.

Have fun

Thanks Lynn. I have a similar grip to Carl I think, I just don't have my razor on hand.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Parker,

I just put up a Vid about pinning a week or two ago, it actually shows what a SR user should own to keep their razors tight.. You however can use two table spoons and do it also... Just put one down on the counter bottom up and place the razor pin on top, then use the bottom of the other to gently tap the pins,,,, Alot man it does ding the spoons so be careful Moms and Wives get PISSED

gssixgun / Gemstar Customs - YouTube

that is a link to my youtube channel

Yes pins should be kept tight and there is a simple easy test for it, Hold the razor at the pins between thumb and forefingers blade up, hold loosely no pressure on the scales or pins.. Now flip the razor over, blade down, if the blade swings out then the pins are too loose...
Loose pins can cause all sorts of problems with the razor ...

I have done that with the razor before, and yes, it does it. I think I will try the spoon method. Sounds like the"cheapest" way. I may just have Roy (cudarunner) do it because I don't really know what I am doing, because I'm not sure how well 70 year old bone scales will hold up to my un-experienced hand. If all else fails, how much for a pin tightening Job Lynn and Glen?

Thanks to all of the other replies as well. Didn't want to multi-quote the whole thread

Parker

Just Watched you video Glen. What type of hammer are you using in it?

Originally Posted by JeffR

The scale tightness doesn't matter. When stropping, one should lightly but firmly hold on to the tang, letting the scales go to a comfortable position in the palm. The scales are nothing more than a cover to protect the blade when put away; they are not required for stropping or shaving. If held correctly one can stop and shave with a razor that has no scales.

I guess that's true,I guess one strops a Kamisori? They do help me with the balance when stropping though.

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I guess that's true,I guess one strops a Kamisori? They do help me with the balance when stropping though.

Not the same thing, a Kamisori still has it's own style of handle that rolls inside of your hand, and is rigid, which helps with control