Thread: Bad stropper? Wet stone hone? - Newbie Question

Originally Posted by the1andonlycw

Hello everyone. Thanks for checking out my post. I'm a newbie and I need some advice. My razor is pulling quite a bit and doesn't feel as sharp as it should be, to my novice face. Arm hair test works ok, but needs a little pressure. Hanging hair test fails. Here are my questions:

1) The razor is new and was shave ready. Could I be stropping wrong? Is there supposed to be a "shing" sound as I strop? I'm being careful not to roll the blade and trying to keep even light/medium pressure through the strop.

2) I have a wet stone (barber's hone). Should/could I take a light few passes to set things in the right direction, then strop?

Thanks so much for your help. If I have posted in the wrong area, my apologies.

Best,
CW

I did the same thing. So far I think I improved it by stropping properly. i had to pay close attention so I didn't loose contact with the strope or flip it on the blade.

I know I messed up two perfectly well honed razors by stropping too hard, and too loose. Only in the last month or 6 weeks, have I finally figured out that all I'm trying to do when I strop is basically to polish and smooth the edge, not really change it. So I'm doing more strokes, but just barely keeping the edge on the strop. Going slower, but not too slow.

Already the last several shaves have been notably more comfortable.

It's funny how correct stropping isn't really hard or complicated, but it is something one has to learn.