Finally Got To Try It!

Wow! I see what you all mean! I had a couple days growth and I wasn't sure if I was even shaving because the razor just slid down my face. I only did the right side, like everyone advised. I finished off with a Gillette Goodwill with a Feather blade. I always thought that was a smooth shaver (and it is) but after three passes with it, it still wasn't as smooth as the one pass with Ralf Aust!
I think I dried my razor good and gave it about ten laps on the strop. Do you think that's enough for now or do I need do anything else?

Thanks!
Gary

I normally strop mine about 20 times after I'm done. And 20 to 30 before I shave again. Matter of opinion. I think some people say 100 passes and I've heard people saying 20 was enough. And I'm glad you enjoyed the best shave you can get I love to shave now. Makes a huge difference and it's very enjoyable to me

I'm glad you had a great shave. I've got 4 Ralf Aust razors and love them! To answer your question, I'm sure you'll find that most people do way more than 10 laps, but 10 may work for you. Everyone is going to strop a little differently just as they're going to hone a little differently, so 10 may work. If you find that the edge doesn't seem to work for you after 10, then go to 20 and so on. I tested it out and found that 30-40 works well for me on all my strops except my Kangaroo strop which takes a little more. I strop upwards of 100 after I hone, but in between shaves, I've found that I don't need that much more than 30 to keep the edge keen. It's all about the results you're getting.

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Originally Posted by Mrtarheelfan77

I normally strop mine about 20 times after I'm done. And 20 to 30 before I shave again. Matter of opinion. I think some people say 100 passes and I've heard people saying 20 was enough. And I'm glad you enjoyed the best shave you can get I love to shave now. Makes a huge difference and it's very enjoyable to me

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There are as many opinions on how many strokes to strop as there are people on this forum, I think. The most important thing it to make sure that the razor, the scales and the insides of the scales are absolutely dry. Run a couple of squares of dry toilet tissue folded over enough so that there is some resistance and pull it through the scales to make sure the insides of the scales are completely dry. Then strop some if you like. I usually do about 10 on the cloth and then 30-50 on the leather when I'm done to make sure I get rid of any soap residue that might be left on the edge, but YMMV. I shaved with a Ralf Aust this morning, great razor isn't it?

The reason I just did ten or so was because I just did the one short swipe on my cheek. I didn't know if that made a difference or not. I'll give it more before I use it again.

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Originally Posted by Parker51

The reason I just did ten or so was because I just did the one short swipe on my cheek. I didn't know if that made a difference or not. I'll give it more before I use it again.

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Heh. It's one of those questions with no wrong answer. You just have to find what works for you. If it does then you're doing it right. If it doesn't, then change it until it does.

Parker 51 I'm not sure about your razor I've read those are good ones. Don't own one yet though. That will be my next purchase. I got a Dovo for my first razor and love it

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Originally Posted by Uzi

...I shaved with a Ralf Aust this morning, great razor isn't it?

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Yeah. I should probably get at least one more so I won't be without while I send it off for honing. At least that's what I'll tell the spouse. I really like the looks of the snakewood and the African blackwood. Of course then there's the TI, Dovo and everyone should have at least one Boker, right? Oh and the vintage... For now though, I'm just fine with the one I've got. It's my first so it will always have a special place. Can't wait until tomorrow for round two!

I shaved with a Gillette Trac II from 1974 until roughly 7 years ago and hated every minute of it. I switched to a DE for about 6 months and didn't mind shaving but wasn't crazy about it. Then someone dared me to shave with a straight razor. After a long learning curve that at times I didn't think I was going to get the hang of it now I look forward to shaving. I just wish I would have discovered straight razor shaving years ago..............