Thread: Razor sound on the strop, bevel not set

So, I have a question about the sound of the razor draw on the strop. I have a Dovo, full hollow, that zings along and I can feel the blade as it goes along with little pressure. Next, I have a quarter hollow smiler that doesn't make a sound and I really have to turn my wrist to get it to draw. Does this mean that the bevel is not right or do some blades require more twist on the strop. It's not a bad shaver-not my sharpest blade- but not a bad shaver. What say you?

Thicker grinds have less feedback on the strop. My Wade & Butcher near wedge has almost no zip on the strop.

Another thing to consider-wedges shave a bit different than a full hollow. Again, you will probably have less feedback the thicker the grind. I also use a steeper angle when shaving with a wedge than I do a full hollow. Vary your angle shaving and see if you can tell the difference.

Different blades; hollows, wedges, 1/4 hollows make different sounds on the strop. I have a wedge that is pretty much silent where as my hollow blades make what I call a whooshing sound. Far as if the bevel is set or not, use magnification and sharpie. There are many more tests than this. Plus of you are scratching your strop that is an indication you have an issue. Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

Thicker grinds have less feedback on the strop. My Wade & Butcher near wedge has almost no zip on the strop.

Another thing to consider-wedges shave a bit different than a full hollow. Again, you will probably have less feedback the thicker the grind. I also use a steeper angle when shaving with a wedge than I do a full hollow. Vary your angle shaving and see if you can tell the difference.

Thank you sir, I came across the angle issue early on. If I used the same angle with my Boker or Dovo full hollows that I use with this smiler...I would have no lips.

Good to hear that I don't need to twist the blade more.

Originally Posted by ejmolitor37

Different blades; hollows, wedges, 1/4 hollows make different sounds on the strop. I have a wedge that is pretty much silent where as my hollow blades make what I call a whooshing sound. Far as if the bevel is set or not, use magnification and sharpie. There are many more tests than this. Plus of you are scratching your strop that is an indication you have an issue. Hope this helps.

Awesome. Glad it's not something I'm doing wrong and is just how the blade is.

I would think twisting the wrist or trying to apply more pressure would be a sure way to roll the edge. Have you seen the Stroptober thread? There is a lot of good info there. I learned a lot frow watching SRP members' videos and reading the feedback. Pay particular attention to the vidoes by Lynn and gssixgun. As a matter of fact, you should make an effort to watch all of Lynn's stropping, lathering, and shaving videos on Youtube if you haven't already.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...2012-a-17.html

I would watch the pressure on the strop and not use heavy pressure, if anything use less on a full hollow as the edge is more fragile sound or no sound, keep it light

Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

I would think twisting the wrist or trying to apply more pressure would be a sure way to roll the edge. Have you seen the Stroptober thread? There is a lot of good info there. I learned a lot frow watching SRP members' videos and reading the feedback. Pay particular attention to the vidoes by Lynn and gssixgun. As a matter of fact, you should make an effort to watch all of Lynn's stropping, lathering, and shaving videos on Youtube if you haven't already.


http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...2012-a-17.html

Yup...previewed Lynns stropping video and just about every other video on the tube. Couldn't find any that showed someone stropping anything other than a full hollow. Even with twisting (twisting is more of an exaggerated description of what I am doing) the spine never comes off the strop. It just sounds and feels like only the spine is touching the strop but I know that is not the case.

They all sound different. Strop it so it sounds the same all along and on both sides.
An experienced stropper has the ability to change tension in increments to make it happen on hanging strops.
On paddle and bench strops, a bit of pressure and swooping adjustments accomplish the same thing, FME.

I always advise to attempt using the middle of the strop as much as possible. Not to strop off the side, so to speak.

Never a need for other than very light pressure.
Extremely light torque is more important?

Originally Posted by rodb

I would watch the pressure on the strop and not use heavy pressure, if anything use less on a full hollow as the edge is more fragile sound or no sound, keep it light

Thanks Rob...Yup, stropping those full hollows zing real well with little to no pressure. I am just having the problem with the quarter hollow not sounding like the blade is even touching.