Thread: Mid Shave Stropping?

Originally Posted by RichZ

In addition that would add more time for the shave as well as having the lather dry out.

It only takes a few (~5) laps do get whatever good you're gonna get out of a mid-shave stropping - this isn't enough time for the lather to dry out. If I'm doing a 2-pass shave I'll do this after lathering up for the second pass, if I'm doing a once-over shave then I'll do it before shaving my lower neck and chin.

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

In my mind, the thing that resolves the mid-shave strop issue is the barber manuals, which all seem to advocate several stropping sessions during the shave. These guys were mostly using barber hones in the 6K-10K range, so I doubt that their edges were too delicate.

I agree that a razor that starts to pull during the shave probably isn't sharp enough, but comfort also has to do with skin sensitivity and beard toughness. A tougher beard will beat the razor's edge more, and sensitive skin will feel the extra roughness.

Perhaps these individual differences play a role in whether or not we see any benefit from mid-shave stropping.

Josh

I remember reading different manuals that instruct at least 3 stroppings (shave left side - strop, shave right side - strop, strop before doing the 2nd over)

NOTE: Don't shoot the messenger!! I'm only reporting what I'm reading. I take no official position on this whatsoever.

BANG. Gotcha, Steve.

Josh

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

BANG. Gotcha, Steve.

Josh

Oh!!! I'm fading

I have always read that one must give the blade about a day between stropping with carbon steel blades because they elongate and take a long time to cool back down for proper stropping.

Ok, I'll admit, I don't yet have any experience on this (my first razor should be here sometime this week, I hope!), but if I understand correctly, stropping doesn't sharpen the blade, it just aligns the edge, and makes it smooth/more polished for a smoother, more comfortable shave.

What I was thinking is, maybe those of us with wiry beards and/or cowlicks (I am guilty on both counts) have hair that's tough enough to put very small "dents" in an otherwise smooth edge, which could cause a bit if discomfort, and that a mid-shave strop helps remove these super-fine "dents". I know that microscopically, the edge of a blade looks kind of serrated, but I'm talking about a much larger scale than that.

Just a thought, like I said I don't yet have experience in this!

Joe

I think you guys are overlooking a very important fact. A barber hasn't got a clue how smoothly a razor is shaving. A barber was probably instructed to strop mid shave.

You, on the other hand, might want to or need to. I don't care who tells you you don't need to, they've never shaved your face. Your face will give you feedback that a barber, shaving someone elses face, never had.

Its up to you.

I can power through 3 shaves without ever stropping. That doesn't necessarily mean its good for my skin to do so. I would'nt want to pay for a shave from a barber that tried to shave two people before me without stropping.

I do like to strop before tackling the goatee area as I want to be certain, beyond a doubt, that the razor is as perfect as I can get it before I attempt that area. Whether its on its 10th shave or 20th, its a little duller than after the 5th.

If you feel a benefit from mid shave stropping, have at it. Most of us could benefit from a sharper razor, but, you either hone it more often or strop it more often. There are no free rides.