What a let down

[bluefoxicy]

I'm getting closer but still fuzzy after a decent shave. A little more time, a better hone, and a better strop... my 3 inch wide Latigo leather sags in the middle, such that the heel and toe get stroped and the middle gets no contact... and X stroping of course applies weird forces to the razor's edge.

But damn.

Splashed on some Dominica Bay Rum, was expecting a huge burn.

I guess I got a little tease. Nothing "burning" really.

Not even a "tingle" actually.

What a let down. Where's the searing burning pain?

 

[mikromicke]

What a let down. Where's the searing burning pain?

 

[holli4pirating]

You really should work on un-cupping your strop. I'd rub the back with the smooth section of a glass bottle and maybe apply a little dressing or neatsfootoil before you do.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

... my 3 inch wide Latigo leather sags in the middle, such that the heel and toe get stroped and the middle gets no contact...

Didn't even know that was possible! How long you had the strop?

 

[bluefoxicy]

Didn't even know that was possible! How long you had the strop?

December?

The material curves, but the ends are stiff and sturdy; it curves more in the center. I noticed it and used the spine of my razor (Dovo Astrale, no smile) to check out the straightness and sure enough, I can see right under the middle. I could feel it so I wanted to check.

It's visible to me too, but I wasn't quite ready to accept that as more than an illusion. Well, yeah, it's bowed.

A good 2 inch strop and X stroping is what I need. I'd trade this thing out for a 2 inch wide black latigo SRD, but it's a $20 difference and there's CrOx paste on one side of the webbed fabric and a nick near the bottom. Not a fair trade, and the only other thing I have lying around to barter is a bunch of useless DE blades (because *** do you need DE blades for if you have need of a strop?)

I'll sell it for $35 later probably, and buy the $50 2 inch strop.

 

[holli4pirating]

It's not the width that makes it cup. Lots of things can cause cupping. My TM used to cup back when I didn't know any better and hung it in the bathroom - the humidity did it.

 

[bluefoxicy]

It's not the width that makes it cup. Lots of things can cause cupping. My TM used to cup back when I didn't know any better and hung it in the bathroom - the humidity did it.

Bingo. That's what I did with mine, it even had black staining that seems to have gone away on its own.

 

[mackie]

Try laying the strop down on a table or cut a thin piece of wood maybe 1/4" or so and hang it behind the strop so when you use it there is a stiff backing behind it.