Thread: Cant keep my razors sharp

I just had 3 razors professionally honed and none of them are near as sharp as the first shave after getting them back. One is a Dubl Duck that I already had to rehone and now it's shavable. The second is a Bocker that isn't too bad but far from where it should be and the third is a Wade and Butcher that was awesome when I got it back and now I can't even shave with it.
I've watched the stropping video's, read through wiki, you tube, stropped slow, stropped fast, no pressure, light pressure.
This is a great hobbie, but the razor has to be sharp!
I don't know if there's any advise I haven't tried but if someone has something please chime in.
My other thought is, I live in Southern NJ. If anyone lives in South Jersey or Philly area and wouldn't mind meeting up and going over some techniques, maybe I can get on track.

First a couple questions what type of strop are you using? How long have you been using the three razors since they had been honed? Have you nicked up your strop alot? If so were are the nicks mostly at on the strop? Are you using an X patteren?

Also;
How would you describe how much pressure you are using with the razor on the strop? The pressure should be very light, just enough to keep the razor in contact with the strop.
Are you being sure to roll over the spine and not the edge?

It's a 3" vintage blade latigo leather and canvas. I've had the razors back for about 2-3 weeks. I used them each 3 or 4 times. I typically do 25 on the canvas and 50 on the leather before I shave. I keep the strop tight and the stroke is light enough so there is very little deflection in the strop. A discription would be very light to light. Recently I've add a little more pressure because my results have been poor so I figured I'd change it a bit. Not an X pattern, just straight. Originally I did nick the strop alot when I first started with it. ( I wasn't flipping on the spine )The nicks were mostly on the top left and the bottom right. More so on the bottom right. I flip it correctly now and I have the stroke to where I haven't nick it (other then an occasional little nick) since prior to getting my razors honed. The original nicks I repaired with pliobond and sanded the strop with 1000 grit and sealed it with neetsfoot oil. From what I can tell, comparing my stroke to the videos I've seen, my technique seems decent. I guess thats the root of my frustration.

Just some thoughts....

1. Use the X pattern when stropping.

2. Stop using the canvas. Since it is vintage there is a chance that it is to dirty. The strop may also be dried and cracked. Strop only on some newspaper and see if that helps.

3. Get together with someone local. It will help a lot. Click on Community and do an advanced search for your area. Then send them a PM. Also watch the get togethers & meetings forum.

Hope this helps,

Thanks Randy, I just sent a message to a local memeber. I didn't realize that option existed.
Just to clarify, Vintage Blade is the brand name on the strop. I just bought it new within the past couple months.
I will try the X pattern and see if that helps.

Merry Christmas
Dan

Putting the strop on a flat surface like the bathroom counter really helped my stropping when I first started. I thought I was holding the strop tight enough, but my edges were better if I layed the strop down.