What is hand stropping a SE blade? And where can I find a tutorial teaching how it is done?
Hand stropping?
- Thread starter OkieStubble
- Start date
I wouldn't do that. You're just asking to cut yourself that way. The DE blades aren't nearly as expensive as the cartridge blades. Just throw them out when you're done instead of stropping.
[YOUTUBE]Ogq4wfpT7hc[/YOUTUBE]
- Thread starter
- #4
Interesting. Thanks HT. Do you strop your SE's HT?
I hand strop my SE blades most of the time. Every Ted Pella blade gets stropped before the first use, since they tend to be a little rough if I don't. After that, I don't have any proof that the stropping has any effect, but I still like to do it. Kind of like always putting my right sock on first. I don't know what will happen if I don't, but it's bound to be bad
- Thread starter
- #6
I hand strop my SE blades most of the time. Every Ted Pella blade gets stropped before the first use, since they tend to be a little rough if I don't. After that, I don't have any proof that the stropping has any effect, but I still like to do it. Kind of like always putting my right sock on first. I don't know what will happen if I don't, but it's bound to be bad
Do you strop just like the video showed? Twice on each side of the blade?
I strop both my DEs and SEs just like in the video. However, I only do it prior to first use. I find that if I don't, I get a little irritation from the blade. After first use, I don't notice any difference.
My face doesn't get along with some blades at all (Dorcos) - even with hand stropping. If I absolutely need to use them, I use a cork and pass the cutting edge through the cork at a very shallow depth, one pass per edge. This treatment will at least make them serviceable for my face. (Reminder to self: Just PIF these away to someone who likes them.)
Dave
My face doesn't get along with some blades at all (Dorcos) - even with hand stropping. If I absolutely need to use them, I use a cork and pass the cutting edge through the cork at a very shallow depth, one pass per edge. This treatment will at least make them serviceable for my face. (Reminder to self: Just PIF these away to someone who likes them.)
Dave
I have a couple of times and quite honestly couldn't tell any difference. I have been tinkering with using an actual leather strop on the carbon steel blades, but that's in it's early stages so I don't really know how much it helps. Thanks to DonOhio, who hasn't been here for awhile, for suggesting this last summer.
I will do 4-6 on each side. Again, no real reason why. It just feels right.
I use carbon steel (PAL mostly) when I modify a blade for my Auto-Strops. I find stropping on the leather helps quite a bit. I notice a pretty big difference in smoothness if I don't.
Yeah, I know you've had pretty good experience stropping the PAL's. I got a strop a while back and have been trying it out. I had a Blue Star that had three shaves on it that I "practised" on with less than stellar results. I think I may have stropped it too much, but I'm looking forward to trying it a few more times. I may be calling you for advice.
