Thread: Wrong Stropping

Hey,

So I just got a new Art of Shaving razor and before shaving stropped it for a couple of times.

I am sure I did it wrong.

I was leaning the razor against the strop instead on laying the razor flat. I think this might have taken the edge out of the razor. It was really difficult to shave.

Prior to stropping it incorrectly the razor could easily do the hair cutting trick but after the stropping it wont do it.

What can I do to fix my razor?

Mail it to Lynn for a proper honing and read the instructions in how to strop correctly. I made the same mistake you did. Juan.

Sounds like you rolled the edge, not dulled it. You might want to check with Lynn tonight before sending it to him because he is scheduled for surgery tomorrow. There are others who will do the honing service as well. Check the classifieds under member services.

There is a good tutorial on proper stropping in this honing and stropping excerpt from a barber manual in the SRP Wiki help files here. The stropping section comes after the honing. Among other things they recommend holding the razor on the strop and practicing flipping it without moving your arm. Just practice the flip between thumb and forefinger without bending the wrist. Some guys practice with a butter knife so they are less likely to cut the strop while they are learning.

You MIGHT fix it with proper stropping. Though given the way you describe it as being fairly extreme bad stropping, it might need to be honed. Besides, I'm not sure AofS razors come shave ready in the first place, so it may have needed honing anyway.

If you send it to me, I'll do it for free. Send me a PM if interested.

So what's going on with Lynn? Not to pry, just concern. I hope it's nothing serious.

Hip surgery, I believe.

I got my razor today too and tried shaving with it. I got it from SRD, and it's definitely sharp as hell, but when I stropped I'm pretty sure I messed up a couple times and nicked the strop, it also has a couple of faded lines that looks like I took something dull and grazed over it. I tried shaving with and it felt like it was tugging at my face more than just gliding/slicing through, but I'm not sure if my technique just sucked or what. I definitely nicked my face maybe 2-3 times during my first shave, and couldn't get through my entire face before I had to bust out the old safety razor.

luisvazquez,

I can really sympathize with you !

The first time I stropped a straight I rolled the edge

However, you will soon get the hang of stropping !

Best regards

Russ

Lynn normally instructs those receiving razors that were honed by him to not strop prior to shaving with it the first time. Then you will need to strop each time prior to shaving (some do it after). I do my stropping (20 laps on the linen followed by 60 laps on the leather) prior to each shave. Very, very important to strop properly. When first learning to strop don't try to whip the blade up and down the strop like you see in the movies. Start slowly. Technique totally outweighs speed. Speed will come, but learn technique first. Your strop and blade will thank you for it...