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.

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?