Thread: Fix with strop or Hone?

Originally Posted by pbsd

Yes I understand the you will know it when you feel it. I have done a thumb test on the new razor I bought that was shave ready. It didn't really seem that sharp to me until I shaved. I am sure this is a frustrating question that will inspire a lot of eye rolling and head slapping, but can you try to describe in words with the blade is supposed to feel like when you touch it with your thumb? I mean is it like aw f#@4#q sharp!, or something else?

There are a few sensations you might detect:

1) The razor passes over the pad smoothly without a "drawing" or "ut-oh, I'm about to get cut" sensation. The razor is essentially dull for shaving purposes. Requires aggressive stropping or, more likely, honing.

2) The razor passes over the thumb with that "ut-oh" sensation, but there is also a subtle "gritty" or rough sensation at the same time. More stropping required, possibly on the linen with some pressure then back to the leather.

3) "Ut-oh" coupled with a sticky smooth "I'm-touching-a-friggin-laser-scalpel...whoa!" Absolutely no rough or grittiness detected. The razor is shave ready!

Yea, I just tried it with my new Dovo which was shave ready when I got it three shaves ago. I'm not getting an ut-oh sensation so I guess I screwed up a perfectly good blade. Can I take it from step one to three but stropping on my better strop when I get? When would you decide to go from the strop to the hone?

Originally Posted by pbsd

Yea, I just tried it with my new Dovo which was shave ready when I got it three shaves ago. I'm not getting an ut-oh sensation so I guess I screwed up a perfectly good blade. Can I take it from step one to three but stropping on my better strop when I get? When would you decide to go from the strop to the hone?

A lot depends on your skill level and experience. If I couldn't bring the edge back almost immediately on the strop, I'd try just a few light strokes on a fine hone, then strop again. Keep in mind that the edge isn't that far from shave ready, unless you used it for a letter opener recently or you severely rounded the edge on the strop.

Hey thanks for all of your responses. It's been really helpful!! I will tell you all the dumb s!#@@t I have done. Can you tell me if you think I killed it?
Here is my confession:
*Last night I tried the thumb nail test. I didn't know it would hurt the blade until I read a recent post.
*As stated above I stropped with a strop that had cuts and flaps on it.

Thumb nail won't hurt your razor edge if used appropriately. Thumb nail is your gauge for honing, thumb pad is the gauge for stropping. If you use the thumb nail after stropping, it might set you back a bit, so don't do that.

As for stropping on a damaged strop, meh. I prefer a nice smooth damage-free strop. But you be surprised what you can get away with on a blemished strop.

Another tool in my bag is the HHT. Regardless of what some may say about it being useless, or a "parlor trick," etc. the HHT is useful. I use it just to confirm my thumb pad test. If I think the thumb pad is right on, but my razor won't properly sever a hanging hair, I strop a bit more with some deliberation until the razor splits the hair. Not "pops" the hair, but splits the hair. And then I thumb pad test again for that ah-ha!

The edge has ceased to be . It is no more.
If you haven't already, introduce yourself to the pyramid method with the 4/8k.
Pyramid honing guide - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Damn, I thought that pyramid stuff went out in the 80's man.

So you think I should drop it down to the 4k?

It's a pretty foolproof system.

Just my observation of the thread, I think it goes. Strop like you mean it with great care. If it doesn't shave right for you go to the 8k for a light short hone. Strop and shave test again. If that doesn't do it then hone it. Pyramid works for most. This is also what I would do but being a beginner myself I feel obligated to ad the fine print disclaimer. :<0)