Thread: Can someone teach this guy how to strop a razor?

I just find it funny that there's all this talk about proper strop technique and you've got a real oldschool pro throwing a lot of it out the window....i guess it goes to show, that like in jazz theory, you've gotta learn the rules before you can break 'em....speaking of which, the music in this clip is great

anyway, this is purely for entertainment purposes, don't mean to ruffle any feathers =)

YouTube - Razor Strop

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Hello, Jdurango:

The old pros eventually find what works best for them.

By the way, the music is Cole Porter's "Begin the Beguine" which Artis Shaw recorded in 1938. Great tune and great version.

Regards,

Obie

Just cause there is an old guy dressed like a barber doing something with a straight razor doesn't mean it's right. Has that guy shaved you or someone you trust? Have you or someone you trust used his razors yourselves? If I told you I was Dr Holli4Pirating and I had a white coat and a stethoscope and a clipboard, would you believe my medical advice.

But, for the record, recent stropping threads from some of the SRP innovators have been talking about playing with "deflection" and "pressure."

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Just cause there is an old guy dressed like a barber doing something with a straight razor doesn't mean it's right. Has that guy shaved you or someone you trust? Have you or someone you trust used his razors yourselves? If I told you I was Dr Holli4Pirating and I had a white coat and a stethoscope and a clipboard, would you believe my medical advice.

But, for the record, recent stropping threads from some of the SRP innovators have been talking about playing with "deflection" and "pressure."

That old guy is the head barber at one of the oldest barbershops in Dublin (1929)....so I think it's fair to assume he knows what he's doing. I've seen a lot of discussions here about old pros that strop like this...just thought it was interesting.

And plus he has a white lab coat! I mean...c'mon, it's a WHITE lab coat! =)

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Just cause there is an old guy dressed like a barber doing something with a straight razor doesn't mean it's right. Has that guy shaved you or someone you trust? Have you or someone you trust used his razors yourselves? If I told you I was Dr Holli4Pirating and I had a white coat and a stethoscope and a clipboard, would you believe my medical advice.

But, for the record, recent stropping threads from some of the SRP innovators have been talking about playing with "deflection" and "pressure."

Well doc you see I have this pain...

Like evrything else there are some people who break every rule for doing things yet they get perfect results. If I tried it that way I'd be in big trouble.

Originally Posted by jdurango

That old guy is the head barber at one of the oldest barbershops in Dublin (1929)....so I think it's fair to assume he knows what he's doing. I've seen a lot of discussions here about old pros that strop like this...just thought it was interesting.

And plus he has a white lab coat! I mean...c'mon, it's a WHITE lab coat! =)

Ever seen an old and well respected member of a group say or do something totally crazy before? I'd say again, have you been shaved by him, used one of his razors, or do you know anyone you totally trust who has? Maybe his edges are great, maybe they're not. Maybe he used to get great edges before he changed his technique and now they are terrible. Maybe his edges used to be terrible and then he changed his technique and now they are great.

We can sit and speculate all day.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Like evrything else there are some people who break every rule for doing things yet they get perfect results. If I tried it that way I'd be in big trouble.

Yup, you should see Livi strop. Scary stuff.

We have a member who does, indeed, get shaves from Liam at the Waldorf. Apparently, he also sharpens razors (on a coti, no less) and does it well.

http://www.straightrazorplace.com/fo...tml#post460340

So yeah, I think he's doing ok.

Originally Posted by JimR

We have a member who does, indeed, get shaves from Liam at the Waldorf. Apparently, he also sharpens razors (on a coti, no less) and does it well.

http://www.straightrazorplace.com/fo...tml#post460340

So yeah, I think he's doing ok.

There's one variable down.

I have found my shaves are smoother and better when my strop is not pulled as taught as suggested by many here. I find that slight deflection, as in that video, is very helpful.

YMMV.

I'm going to try a decent amount of slack next time... just for kicks. I'll tell you how it goes