New strop and terrible razor burn?

[ItsMrBrooks]

Hi all.

When I first started using a straight razor, I got the Poor Man's Strop Kit from Larry at Whipped Dog and thus far, it's worked out pretty well. I decided to upgrade my strop now that I've stuck with it for a bit and my stropping technique is pretty good, and I invested in Straight Razor Designs 3 Black Latigo Strop with D-Rings - $59.99 :.

It arrived today and I tested it out before my shave. I did about 40 strokes on the fabric first and 60 on the leather side. Now, as far as the shave itself goes, it didn't feel uncomfortable. I only do two passes since I have fairly sensitive skin and I did feel a little burning as I finished up the second pass. I finished with alum, Thayer's and some face lotion and about 15 minutes later, HOLY HELL! I had some of the worst razor burn I've ever experienced.

Now, I am definitely not going to point fingers at the strop saying it's a bad strop (I truly don't think it is), but that was the only thing that's changed in my routine.

So, my question is this: How much does the stop REALLY matter? One hypothesis I have is that the new strop made the blade significantly more sharp that my old stop was and as a result, I used too much pressure. Another hypothesis is that I screwed something up that I didn't know about buying a new strop.

So, any ideas?

Thanks!

[smalltank]

question for you....

1. Are you new to straight razors?..if you just started yea it will show up
2. Was your razor rehoned properly?
3. Is your lather/razor technique incorrect?...leather...too watery or not enough water...
4. canvas/linen strops remove any non visual debree from the blade and warm it up a bit can man make a difference for most guys...the leather side "conditions' the razors edge..I read somewhere cowboys in the 1800's used their horses reigns for stropping..lol..I know..could be true..but they knew what they needed to use to maintain their edges..make sense?

st

[Kentos]

It is hard to say. I guess go back to the poormans's tonight and see. Did you get the poly strop or the cotton?

[ItsMrBrooks]

It is hard to say. I guess go back to the poormans's tonight and see. Did you get the poly strop or the cotton?

Poly

[Kentos]

Poly is quite rough IMO and I never liked it as have sensitive skin too.
Try skipping the poly and do all the laps on the leather. It should be better!

[Jporco]

Agree with Kent. Try just Stropping on the leather to see if it is the poly.
Only change one thing or else you won't be sure what is the root cause.