Thread: Stropping Frustrations

Hey everyone. I'm new to straight razor shaving. I got two razors for my first ones. One is stainless steel and the other is not. It just says Swedish steel. The stainless i have no problem getting a good shaving edge with after stropping. But the other one however is very frustrating. I get a decent shave out of it but i just cant get it to pass the hair test after stropping. Are there different techniques that are better for diff kinds of steel? Or am i just doing something wrong?

Which "hair" test?

The reason I'm asking, is because the only thing that really matters IME is the shave test. The hair test needs to be calibrated, and is of use mainly to the person who honed that particular razor.

If I were you, I'd strop that razor up, shave with it, and make a judgement from that.

Hope this helps a bit.

It's simple...stop the hair tests. The only tried and true test for a razor is a "shave test". There is too many variables to get into...

IMHO the "Hair Test" is a circus trick. The only way to test a razor, for me, is to shave with it. Would I kick a tire to test a car or would I start the engine and drive it? Do what works for you and have fun doing it.

Don't worry about any of the tests like HHT, TNT and so on. They're used as part of the honing process to gauge how an edge is progressing.

The only test for a shave ready razor is to shave with it. If it shaves hood then it is good...!

'Nuff said already I reckon.

Mick

Originally Posted by daewon

The stainless i have no problem getting a good shaving edge with after stropping. But the other one however is very frustrating. I get a decent shave out of it

What is very frustrating about getting a decent shave out of it? Or maybe I mean to ask how does the decent shave with that razor compare to the good shaving edge on the other? It's hard to troubleshoot without knowing the practical symptom

Originally Posted by Stubear

The only test for a shave ready razor is to shave with it. If it shaves hood then it is good...!

Never shaved the hood, just use a de-bugging spray before the car wash...

Get some chrom-ox on a flatbed felt, leather, whatever. Usually improves the edge for a smoother and maybe keener shave IME. Might even get it to pass the HHT for whatever that is worth.

Ir shaves good. I was just thinking the hanging hair test was for after stropping. I'm pretty new to this and i got my info mixed up lol.. i am interested in learning honing though

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