Thread: No Stropping Before A Shave?

It would be nice if there was an easy answer to your question but that is not the case.

Razors should always be stropped before use and all shavers should be competent at shaving, stropping and honing before they actually start but this is simply not the case. I've often said that before any person starts shaving with a straight they should get a few eboy specials and practice stropping and honing and then shaving so when the get their first true razor they are competent at all the skills.

This is never going to happen so guys will continue to begin the endeavor with a variety of skill sets and competencies so there is no one rule to fit everyone. If they get a razor honed by a true honemeister and their skills at stropping are good they should certainly strop before shaving however if this is not the case stropping will in all probably do more harm than good so they should initially shave before stropping the first time. Its the same with honing. if they get a razor with a damaged edge should they attenpt to repair it or send it out? That depends also on their skill with a hone.

As far as shave ready goes anyone can claim it. I've bought razors from people who have claimed it and some were and some weren't. We have had many discussions here about truly shave ready and minimally shave ready and what those terms mean to different individuals, meaning shavers. Also depending on the type of beard you have person A may find a razor totally shave ready and person B may find the same razor just doesn't pass muster.

Clear as mud?

So for these reasons and others people will come up with there just isn't a one size fits all answer to your question.