Thread: Trouble Keeping Razor Open while Stropping

Hey Guys.

So, I have been having this problem since I started stropping. I'm only about 5 shaves in, so not a lot of stropping has gone on. But, whenever I do strop, I am having a really hard time keeping the scales from moving around. I hold the razor with my index finger in the top of the tang, my thumb on the bottom, and the rest of my fingers wrapped around the scales. I just can't keep them from moving!!! I have tried many different grips and nothing helps. Am I holding it wrong? Are my pins too loose? If so how do I fix that? Any suggestions??

Thanks
Parker

This is a head-scratcher...a gymnast with a weak grip? Can you post a quick vid on your grip?
I kind of "brace" the scales against the insides of my fingers at the knuckles (palm side).

Not now... Rolled the edge while stropping horribly..Its not as easy as it looks. And it doesn't even look that easy.. Send it off to Roy(cudarunner) to get it re-honed. And I don't think it is a tightness of a grip, just a wrong grip.
As soon as I get my razor back Ill post a vid, but I probably could post a vid of my grip with a butter knife. IDK if that will help or not...

I wish I had a camera capable of up/downloading to my computer...oh well, more $$$ spent from my pension!
Take a pen/pencil. Hold it against the 2nd set of knuckles (palm side). Close your fingers around the pen/pencil, kind of like a karate-chop position.
That's how I position the scales against my hand.
Where are your lead finger and thumb in relation to the blade's heel?

Ok just did that. Want a Picture?

And also my Index and Thumb are probably an 1/8 of an inch away from the heel.

Yeah, pics are good, please!
1/8" away? It really shouldn't let the scales move.

Thats what I don't get. I honestly think the scales are loose or something... How would I go about fixing that?





2 different shots of the same grip.


Sorry, pics arent great. Dad's phone takes much better images.

PM Roy and ask for his opinion on pin tightness. It is possible they are loose.
Your grip looks OK to me -- tighten up your grip a little and keep your fingers closer together, but I realize you're not holding a razor. Anyway, your pic is very close to how I grip my blade whilst stropping.

Afterthought:
The only pin that would create your trouble would be the main hinge pin.

I think I will do that. And I'm glad it isn't my grip that is the problem!

Thanks maple!

Parker

I didn't say that your grip is NOT the problem -- it could still very well be. I just really don't see how a loose hinge pin is causing your problem. Like I said, a real head-scratcher!
I'll look into getting a camera for my computer this weekend. If you're friends w/Glen (gssixgun), PM him for a photo of his grip. After all, he IS one of the true experts here.