Thread: What is this?

This has been happening lately and I'm not sure what it is.


It's not easy to see but there is a dark spot on the bottom right. So I don't know what that is but I think it's an annoying water spot. HOWEVER, my real question is on the blade edge underneath that (hard to see). Basically after I strop I get this dark brown residue that collects in that spot every time. I can wipe it off easily. My strop is dark brown. I'm thinking there might be a slight burr right there that is catching on the dark leather of the strop and creating almost a spot of dust.

Has this happened to anyone? Do you recognize my problem here? Thanks.

A common practice with strops is to rub the strop with your palm until you feel heat. This transfers oils into the strop and keeps it supple. If there is a burr in the strop, doing this will help you find it.

Same thing has happened with my new Dovo. I have blades that are 100 years old, hold a better edge and are mirror. I dip the Dovo in mineral oil after each use and don't worry about the spot. How does it shave?

Oh I meant a burr in the blade. Didnt think of one in the strop. It only happens in one direction so I didnt think its on the strop.

It shaves great.

Originally Posted by EggSuckingLeech

Oh I meant a burr in the blade. Didnt think of one in the strop. It only happens in one direction so I didnt think its on the strop.

It shaves great.

the stropping should eventually remove any burr/ foil edge. Did you hone the blade?

The blade was honed. I bought it from SRD. It's a fairly recent occurrence. Maybe a couple swipes on a balsa strop?

Originally Posted by EggSuckingLeech

The blade was honed. I bought it from SRD. It's a fairly recent occurrence. Maybe a couple swipes on a balsa strop?

you can try the strop, but I have the feeling it may need to see some stones, hard to tell from the pic what is going on.

Call SRD and talk to them.

I dont know if a burr heavy enough to scrape the leather would neccesarily come out with more stropping.

Maybe that bit of tarnish/rust has a coarse texture? That would powder the strop a bit. If you were very careful and removed the tarnish the problem might go away. Perhaps stropping on a balsa paddle with some metal polish rubbed into it and left to dry might smooth it over a bit.

We used to get specks of rust like that all the time - the old water main was cast iron, and each time a new service was taken off it, they drilled into the cast iron main and the tiny filings got into the water supply, dried on metal, and left little spots of rust - even on stainless. Doesn't happen now the main has been replaced with plastic.

Regards,
Neil