Thread: Stroping?

I thought stropping right after a shave was a bad thing?

Instructions from Kropp razor box

My great grandfather was a barber and always stropped on the linen immediately after shaving. He said that it cleaned the edge, and that the heat generated by the friction evaporated any microscopic droplets of water. I'm no expert, I've only been using a SR for about a month-- but if it was good enogh for him, it's good enough for me.

I have read a lot of conflicting information on this issue and of course there seems to be people equally on both sides of the fence. However one good source. Which obviously is not so good, because I can't find it right now, makes the claim that because after shaving the microscopic teeth have yet to settle back down to their ideal alignment stropping after shaving will break those teeth off causing a rougher or more jagged edge. Whether this is true or not I do not know, nor can I tell the difference. I have not actually seen enough good photographic evidence under an electron microscope to know myself. But I usually don't bother to strop after shaving myself, but for no particular reason.

Originally Posted by borebrush

I have read a lot of conflicting information on this issue and of course there seems to be people equally on both sides of the fence. However one good source. Which obviously is not so good, because I can't find it right now, makes the claim that because after shaving the microscopic teeth have yet to settle back down to their ideal alignment stropping after shaving will break those teeth off causing a rougher or more jagged edge. Whether this is true or not I do not know, nor can I tell the difference. I have not actually seen enough good photographic evidence under an electron microscope to know myself. But I usually don't bother to strop after shaving myself, but for no particular reason.

I think you're referring to the Dovo instructions that come with their razors.
They also say you should buy 2 & let one "rest"
I would dare say anyone who strops after shaving has not stopped the practice due to edge damage.

No it's not from Dovo instructions but again I make no statement either for or against, I was just merely reiterating one of probably hundreds of sources within the world of straight razor shaving that all too often provide much conflicting information which is why there is so much left up to personal preference. I challenge most any average straight razor shaver to definitively prove one way or another whether it makes any difference. I'd actually like to know. I personally can't tell the difference if I strop after shaving, however, since you did mention Dovo I might consider them a fairly reliable source of information seeing as how they have been around for such a long time and have spend quite a bit of money probably looking into these matters as well as probably having a much clearer grasp on the various characteristics of their metals. I doubt their recommendation of owning two razor is merely a sales ploy. That thought seems to be shared by many. Again I personally can't attest to any assertions as to yah or nay concerning this matter.

Both Torrey & Kropp provided instructions to strop their razors after shaving so one could say they are also a fairly reliable source of information too.
Just reconfirming for the OP that stropping after shaving is not a "bad" thing. Not Dovo bashing

Absolutely, I have no dog in this race. And I believe you are right in answering the OP question that in all likely hood stropping after shaving will not harm the razor I certainly have never experienced harm nor it seems have you. Just another funny part of rediscovering a lost art that was passed on through trial and error or apprenticeship only to now be thrust into a modern world of electron microscopes, lawsuits, and litigation.

I always liken it to fishing. Some guys prefer the high tide & some the low tide

I like that.