Blade pressure onto strop?

[P_M]

Hi.

I’m new to straight shaving. I have my new Henckels Friodur 17 1/2 which I use, but also a Dovo 98 (5/8 Mother of Pearl) which I don’t use as it’s too difficult for me to hold and manoeuvre. I have been using a Dovo Russian Wide Leather strop, pulling it tight & giving them 50 laps after each shave. Note the strop does not have a linen side. What I have noticed is that I have to use quite a bit of pressure on the blade against the taught strop in order to get either razor to cut a hanging hair. I’m gathering this is not ideal. Am I doing something wrong? Can someone please help with this?

Many thanks,
Paul

 

[P_M]

I forgot to mention that both of these have been honed (by others) prior to me using them

 

[alfredus]

Welcome @P_M - maybe you want to introduce yourself in the welcome section?

Welcome Mat

New to Traditional Wet-Shaving? Or maybe you have questions on how to start? Come say hello and ask questions to your heart's content.

paste-and-cut.com

 

[silverlifter]

What I have noticed is that I have to use quite a bit of pressure on the blade against the taught strop in order to get either razor to cut a hanging hair.

Welcome.

A rule of thumb is that, relatively speaking, the more pressure you use, the tauter the strop must be. But we aren't talking bearing down, think as much pressure as you'd use to pet a cat.

Without linen, you'll also need more laps. 50 is a reasonable number, but you can experiment with less and see how it impacts the shave.

Quality laps are the key; don't lift the spine, and keep your motion smooth and consistent. Stropping is a skill like any other, It takes time to get it down.

 

[P_M]

Welcome.

A rule of thumb is that, relatively speaking, the more pressure you use, the tauter the strop must be. But we aren't talking bearing down, think as much pressure as you'd use to pet a cat.

Without linen, you'll also need more laps. 50 is a reasonable number, but you can experiment with less and see how it impacts the shave.

Quality laps are the key; don't lift the spine, and keep your motion smooth and consistent. Stropping is a skill like any other, It takes time to get it down.

Hi. I actually had more success with hand stropping, but I will experiment on the strop to see what works best. I know I will get there in the end. Many thanks, Paul

 

[rbscebu]

Remember what stropping is for. It is not used to sharpen the edge by removing any metal. That is what honing is for.

The edge on a SR is only about 2 to 4μm thick so, even with the hardest of steels, it is easily deformed by cutting whiskers. The reason for stropping is to remove these deformations and return the edge back to close to its pre-shave condition.

The pressure you exert while stropping only needs to be enough to bend the edge's steel (just a few μm thick) back into shape. Just the weight of the blade or a bit more is all that you need. Try using lighter stropping pressure with each shave untill you notice that the edge condition is not improving. Then you will know what is best for that razor.

For further advice, read the stropping section in the SR shaving instructions that can bee found here:

Thread 'SR Shaving Instructions for Beginners (Rev. H)'

Sep 9, 2023

So, you are interested in trying out this straight razor shaving thing. Here are the instructions that you will help guide you along the way into this gentlemanly art.

Instructions SR Shaving Beginners Rev H.pdf

drive.google.com

As more is learned, these instructions will be revised and further improved. Suggestions welcome via PM.

• rbscebu

• 

The rest of that thread also has some discussion on stropping.

 

[P_M]

Remember what stropping is for. It is not used to sharpen the edge by removing any metal. That is what honing is for.

The edge on a SR is only about 2 to 4μm thick so, even with the hardest of steels, it is easily deformed by cutting whiskers. The reason for stropping is to remove these deformations and return the edge back to close to its pre-shave condition.

The pressure you exert while stropping only needs to be enough to bend the edge's steel (just a few μm thick) back into shape. Just the weight of the blade or a bit more is all that you need. Try using lighter stropping pressure with each shave untill you notice that the edge condition is not improving. Then you will know what is best for that razor.

For further advice, read the stropping section in the SR shaving instructions that can bee found here:

Thread 'SR Shaving Instructions for Beginners (Rev. H)'

Sep 9, 2023

So, you are interested in trying out this straight razor shaving thing. Here are the instructions that you will help guide you along the way into this gentlemanly art.

Instructions SR Shaving Beginners Rev H.pdf

drive.google.com

As more is learned, these instructions will be revised and further improved. Suggestions welcome via PM.

• rbscebu

• 

The rest of that thread also has some discussion on stropping.

That is very helpful. Thank you