Thread: I'm assuming stropped is stropped...

At present I can only find the time to use my straight on weekends, but I'm trying to incorporate it into my daily routine. If I take the time to strop the night before, the razor will be shave ready for the next morning...or for a few days later when I next shave? Once stropped it's good to go, regardless of if I shave right after or a few days later??

Thanks,

Mike

Originally Posted by MWS

At present I can only find the time to use my straight on weekends, but I'm trying to incorporate it into my daily routine. If I take the time to strop the night before, the razor will be shave ready for the next morning...or for a few days later when I next shave? Once stropped it's good to go, regardless of if I shave right after or a few days later??

Thanks,

Mike

You would think so, but....

I think it depends on how long you wait. The very edge of the blade corrodes when exposed to air, and stropping has the nice effect of stripping off that corrosion. I can't imagine that it would make a difference for 1 day, but maybe for a few days...

I usually shave the night before so I'm not rushed. I find it very relaxing, and puts me in a good mood right before I go to sleep. With a full 3 pass shave, it is so close that I actually only need to shave every other day.

-Chief

+1 The effects of stropping start to degrade upon completion, in theory the longer you wait the more micro-corrosion builds up...

If you strop right after applying the first coat of lather, you serve two purposes, you let the lather soften the beard, and you are stropping at the last possible moment.... My routine is lather, strop, rinse, lather, shave

Originally Posted by gssixgun

+1 The effects of stropping start to degrade upon completion, in theory the longer you wait the more micro-corrosion builds up...

If you strop right after applying the first coat of lather, you serve two purposes, you let the lather soften the beard, and you are stropping at the last possible moment.... My routine is lather, strop, rinse, lather, shave

Glen,

I'm confused. I have read here that if you buy a shave ready razor from, let's say SRD, and Lynn honed it, you should just go ahead and shave with it and no need to strop. In fact, the recommendation is not to strop on that first one so you can learn what a properly honed razor feels like.

But that is diametricaly opposed to this reasoning. If I can't strop the night before, then how does a razor get honed by Lynn, shipped by SRD, get in my hands, and then is good to shave without my stropping?

Respectfully,
David

Lynn is different, he has the magic touch

Originally Posted by Alembic

Glen,

I'm confused. I have read here that if you buy a shave ready razor from, let's say SRD, and Lynn honed it, you should just go ahead and shave with it and no need to strop. In fact, the recommendation is not to stop on that firt one so you can learn what a properly honed razor feels like.

But that is diametricaly opposed to this reasoning. If I can't strop the night before, then how does a razor get honed by ynn, shipped by SRD, get in my hands, and then is good to shave without my stropping?

Respectfully,
David

I occasional hone for others but it's rare by my own choice. I offer the same advise, to shave w/o stropping. For me, the main reason is because I don't know what experience the end user has w/ stropping and when done incorrectly can damage the edge. By shaving w/o stropping it give the end user a sample of the edge w/ all other variables removed except their shaving technique and prep. I always strop just before shaving.

I also shave in the evening, most of the time. It is more relaxing and I can take my time. Since you are only shaving w/ straights on weekends give it a try. Your learning curve will be reduced if you can take your time and concentrate on your shave. I shave every day if I can but really only need to every day and a half. For the past two weeks or so it's been every other day due to time constraints.

Be sure to wipe your blade dry after shaving and if possible leave it open to dry. Try not to touch the metal after wiping down to reduce the possibility of rust from skin oils and salts.

Good luck

+1 Lynn does have a magic touch!

Originally Posted by Alembic

Glen,

I'm confused. I have read here that if you buy a shave ready razor from, let's say SRD, and Lynn honed it, you should just go ahead and shave with it and no need to strop. In fact, the recommendation is not to stop on that firt one so you can learn what a properly honed razor feels like.

But that is diametricaly opposed to this reasoning. If I can't strop the night before, then how does a razor get honed by ynn, shipped by SRD, get in my hands, and then is good to shave without my stropping?

Respectfully,
David

After I shave I clean the razor leave it rest and dry. Then strop and oil then store for the night. I strop again before the next shave.
I bought a razor from SRD, a while a go ,I can't remember if it came oiled or not, probably was because its extra precaution for the shipping duration.

Since stropping is one of the most important skills to learn and takes maybe one minute or less I would suggest finding the time to do it before and after the shave. Here is a good read on correct stropping in the unlikely event you haven't seen it.

Originally Posted by Alembic

Glen,

I'm confused. I have read here that if you buy a shave ready razor from, let's say SRD, and Lynn honed it, you should just go ahead and shave with it and no need to strop. In fact, the recommendation is not to stop on that firt one so you can learn what a properly honed razor feels like.

But that is diametricaly opposed to this reasoning. If I can't strop the night before, then how does a razor get honed by ynn, shipped by SRD, get in my hands, and then is good to shave without my stropping?

Respectfully,
David

OIL !!!!

We oil the blade before packing them and sending them to you guys...
Now if you want to strop the night before (or days as the op said), oil the blade, then clean the blade, then shave you are there....

My honing letters say the exact same thing

"Please do not strop the blade before shaving simply rinse the oil and shave, as I want the first shave to be on me, not on your stropping ability or lack there of"

Edit: Just to clarify here, you can do anything you want, BUT the OP asked if it was as good, and actually in very technical terms it is not...

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Since stropping is one of the most important skills to learn and takes maybe one minute or less I would suggest finding the time to do it before and after the shave.

...after thinking about it - I agree. The extra 30-60 seconds won't have me "racing after the bus." I still hold to my OP however, not for daily shaving but I'm curious more for an overnight or short trip...it's easier to pack a straight without a strop for a one time morning shave...

Some interesting replies, especially about the micro rust.