Thread: Barber's notch and stropping

Hey guys,

Just got my first razor with a barber's notch and I'm finding stropping with it pretty tricky as compared to a normal razor. The only way I can strop with it properly is by holding the razor by the very end of the scales. Do you guys do anything different when stropping your razors equipped with a barber's notch?

JF

I don't see how a barber's notch could make any difference. Are you talking about something on the tang?

I have three Barber's notch razors and don't strop them any differently than the others.

Maybe your razor has some spine work? Let's see a pic.

Do you consider a barber's notch to be in the tang (which I suspect) or at the toe?

oops My bad guys! I'm talking about the "Thumb rest" area on the tang of the razor!

I'm pretty sure he is referring to a "thumb notch" and not a "barber's notch." I actually have had this same issue stropping blades with a thumb notch. To me, it is very uncomfortable and I always feel like I am going to slip and nick my strop.

I dislike it so much, I am contemplating selling my one razor with a thumb notch as I just do not like the feel when stropping. It feels like an accident waiting to happen.

Back to the original post, any suggestions on stropping a razor with a thumb notch?

Edit: Looks like he beat me to it.

thanks for your input bud! That's exactly my feeling too. I just got the razor today so I'm sure I'll develop a technique for it! It looks so good that I can look passed the stropping issue!

It means you are stropping with your thumb placed on the bottom (Thin Edge) of the tang...

Your thumb should be either on the flat (on the stamp) of the tang or the corner of the tang.. this will eliminate this problem...

Hint: the more different razors you strop, the more you will like the corner, that way it never changes the feel...

I hope this makes sense without a pic

The shank of that razor looks relatively thick where it meets the scales. I think your best bet is to do what you are doing and try to get comfortable with it. Grip it right above the scales on the thick part of the shank.

My razor seems to have an even thinner shank than that.