Thread: Stropping a "Shave Ready" straight razor

I recently purchased a Dovo straight razor and had it honed by Dovo before I received it. I new from reading this message board to strop it before use (I strop it after every shave). I think I was stropping it wrong on my return trip and I noticed that it didn't shave as nice. I have since corrected my mistake and want to know if I continue to strop it correctly will the edge get better an improve my shave or should I just send it back fro re-honing. I tried the hair-check after stropping (40 white side & 80 leather side) and the hair didn't “pop” or “plink” like I've seen in the video's.

Sorry for the long winded explenation.
Thanks

I'm not sure what you mean by "had it honed by Dovo" - do you mean it was honed by whomever you bought it from, or do you mean it was honed at the Dovo factory? If the former, then most likely you have done something when stropping. If the latter, chances are it was not a shave-ready edge anyway, regardless of what you may or may not have done on the strop.

Generally speaking, problems created on the strop can be fixed on the strop, unless you have really wiped the edge off. So 80% of the time you can just strop out the edge. However, it sounds as though your stropping is fairly new, and the chances are that you might not be able to fix the issue yourself. I'd recommend, if you can, sending it out for re-honing. And in the meantime, practice correct stropping as much as possible.

Good luck.

James.

Hi James, The later is correct I had it honed by the Dovo factory for and additional fee. I will try stropping a couple more times to see if it straightens out. It shaved better after I corrected my technique I was just surprised that it didn't cut the hair like I have seen in the videos. Worse case I will send it back for re-honing. Since I am a new shaver I am assuming that a correctly honed & stopped razor should cut like butter.

Bob

If you rounded the edge stropping I don't think additional leather stropping will fix that. Maybe a lot of strokes on a linen strop might. Probably better to do a few quick strokes on a hone which shouldn't take long at all.

If that's what you did.

If you decide that it needs to be rehoned, don't send it to Dovo. Send it to one of the long-time honemeisters on this forum.

Also, there is a recent stropping blog posted in the "blog" section of this forum. Check it out and see if it helps your stropping. Check the WIKI for other stropping info too.

Jerry

Some people (me included) have used extended stropping -- 50 laps linen, 100-150 laps leather -- to recover an edge.

Sometimes it works, sometimes not. Doesn't cost anything to try.

Charles

Originally Posted by Jimbo

I'm not sure what you mean by "had it honed by Dovo" - do you mean it was honed by whomever you bought it from, or do you mean it was honed at the Dovo factory? If the former, then most likely you have done something when stropping. If the latter, chances are it was not a shave-ready edge anyway, regardless of what you may or may not have done on the strop.

Generally speaking, problems created on the strop can be fixed on the strop, unless you have really wiped the edge off. So 80% of the time you can just strop out the edge. However, it sounds as though your stropping is fairly new, and the chances are that you might not be able to fix the issue yourself. I'd recommend, if you can, sending it out for re-honing. And in the meantime, practice correct stropping as much as possible.

Good luck.

James.

Hello tmobb:
I concur heartily with the assessment and advice from my friend James. If I were in your shoes, that's what I would do.

+1 Jimbo & Thebigspendur

I think you hit it here. Most people find that the better their technique gets, the better a razor will shave. The expectation to be able to shave like the videos when it is your first try is usually a little unrealistic, but with practice and good preparation, it gets better.

Have fun.

Originally Posted by tmobb

Hi James, The later is correct I had it honed by the Dovo factory for and additional fee. I will try stropping a couple more times to see if it straightens out. It shaved better after I corrected my technique I was just surprised that it didn't cut the hair like I have seen in the videos. Worse case I will send it back for re-honing. Since I am a new shaver I am assuming that a correctly honed & stopped razor should cut like butter.

Bob

Originally Posted by Lynn

I think you hit it here. Most people find that the better their technique gets, the better a razor will shave. The expectation to be able to shave like the videos when it is your first try is usually a little unrealistic, but with practice and good preparation, it gets better.

Have fun.

Hey Lynn what are you smoking in your profile pic?