I haven't seen a thread on this. I have two straights and while stropping either, the handle moves slightly and I have to stop to readjust it. I hold the razor on the shank and pivot, but I must be slightly resting a little below the pivot. Should I move up on the shank? It doesn't quite feel right there.
Handle Movement while Stropping
- Thread starter Zot!
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I suggest rotating it only by the shank.
That is all.
That is all....
That is all.
That is all....
I have this problem sometimes. It's frustrating until you get the hang of it. I recommend you choke up on the shank so that when you flip the razor, you kind of graze your thumb a little bit on the shoulder. Leave the scales loose in your hand and apply pressure on the shank instead of the scales.
I have this problem sometimes, particularly on razors with loose scales. If the scales are loose and they aren't in a perfect line with the axis of the razor the scales tend to flop when I flip the blade.
Readjusting them to be in line and paying extra attention to not bumping them as I strop helps but it still happens from time to time.
Readjusting them to be in line and paying extra attention to not bumping them as I strop helps but it still happens from time to time.
You kinda got to get used to it, just adjust your hand slightly when stropping and you'll get used to it. Alternately you could replace (or have someone else replace) your pins with adjustable pins, and your scales will always be nice and stationary!
Honing or stropping a razor with loose scales is godawful. Consider it a reminder to have your blade rescaled. 
A few of my razors do this as well, especially ones with heavier scales. As some others have mentioned, I find moving up the shank further towards the blade portion helps. I take it a bit slower with those razors. Alternatively I love the feeling of a balanced and tight razor that strops effortlessly.
yeah, i hold the tang between by thumb and my didnt-your-parents-tell-you-not-to point finger and roll by that.
loose scales suck
loose scales suck
Question about loose scales... should the scales be tight enough to keep the blade from slipping shut if you open it a bit and hold it by the scales?
Yes, the blade should stay put no matter the position. What I do is; tip the razor upside down to see if it opens on its own. If it does I tighten the pins till it stays put.
Honing or stropping a razor with loose scales is godawful. Consider it a reminder to have your blade rescaled.
This is truth. I strop drunk at about 60 passes a minute... and I'm scared to strop slow and sober with a blade with loose scales. A big chopper with loose scales is horrible. Sadly I've not been able to use the 9/8" wedge that Tom honed for me more than a couple times because I've been procrastinating on a needed rescale.
Flipside of this is heavy choppers with old horn scales will often split the scales before this tightness is achieved.
If the peening can support the weight of the scales I'm happy. I don't need it to support the blade. I support the blade. It's the scales that flop around.
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You can solve the problem with loose scales whilst stropping by wrapping a piece of cloth or toilet paper over the opened razor to cover the shank-hinge-scales area, that usually keeps it nice and stable.
Honing or stropping a razor with loose scales is godawful. Consider it a reminder to have your blade rescaled.
This is so true! I can't stand the loose scales... I will try to tighten the pivot where I can. If I cannot, I will probably tolerate it for a few shaves and then send it somewhere to get new scales...
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