Thread: Stropping during the shave

I was wondering if many people stropped during the shave. I did last night and I'm glad I did. I have no idea if my beard is tough or if it's my puma's edge ( it had a fair dinge in it and had to be honed out). Anyway really just wondered if others strop throughout the shave on a regular basis?

Thanks Brian

I do on occasion. Its pretty rare for me, but common for many. After some practice you'll probably do it less and less.

I notice little if any difference stropping during the shave. If you give it a good 20 on linen and 50 on leather that seems to do the job quite well. If it works for you go for it!

I give the blade a few laps between passes. I don't know if it really helps, but I figure it can't hurt.

Jordan

yeah, i do it all the time. i have a very tough beard, so i'll do 20 quick laps on the strop between each pass on my face. definitely helps keep things smooth.

I do strop 25 laps between the first and second pass, do I need to??? probably not...
But it is my time in the "Shave Den" and I will do what I want
Plus I figure if ya give the lather a little more time to work, what does that hurt???
In general I have upped my strop count and I am getting smoother shaves overall so I go with it....

I strop 20X just on the leather in between passes. I've found
that it makes a difference for me.

John

I don't typically strop between my 1st and 2nd passes,
but I make sure to do 30-40 passes on both the linen
and leather before each shave.

- Scott

I only strop on canvas and leather before each shave.
When a razor needs a honing touch-up, and it pulls a hair during the second pass, I used to do a second stropping session, before I finished my shave. But more recently I have enough shaveready razors sitting in the drawer to grab another one, if that happens. Of course I need to strop that too, before I can continue shaving.

Generally, I stick with the much disputed advice to let a razor rest before stropping it. There's a physical explanation why it is to be avoided, but many believe it is a old myth, made up by razor dealers that tried to augment sales by spreading that myth.
I'm not sure myself. But I like a certain Zen approach to straight razor shaving. I already write more and talk more than necessary. I probably hone too much too. At least I manage to restrain the stropping a little. It's a start.

Good luck,
Bart

Sometimes I do, depends on the blade.
There's just that slight difference between the perfect, smooth cut, and the usual functional shaving. I sometimes strop between my first and second pass and feel for a couple blades it finishes it just a bit smoother.