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Purchased my first razor through the classifieds here....it's on its way. I've been trying to decide whether to make a strop from scratch or buy one from whippeddog, which I will probably end up doing. I've seen lots of information on HOW to strop, but I haven't seen a definitive anwer on how often to strop. Is this something that should be done after every shave? Before every shave? Once a week? Or is it just something that you get a feel for and do it when it needs it? Any help?
Stropping is daily maintenance, and I am under the impression most strop both before and after a shave. The before-the-shave ensures the edge is at it's best, while the after-the-shave stropping makes sure all the moisture is off the blade. I usually strop 10 times on a linen and 30-40 times on leather before a shave and 10-15 on leather afterwards.
With pasted strops it's a totally different thing. I'll use that only once the razor shows signs of edge deteriation, perhaps after 5 shaves or so. A few laps, 6-10 maybe, is usually enough. This is dependent upon what paste or strop you use. As always, YMMV.
Hope this helps.
You definately want to strop your razor before every shave. I also do it after each time i use a razor to dry the insure all moisture is removed from the edge.
Thanks guys. What is the purpose of a linen strop?
Hello, CenTech:
Please take a look at this link on stropping: Razor stropping - Straight Razor Place Wiki
Regards,
Obie
About 20 licks after the shave and 50-60 licks before the shave, always.
I read somewhere that it was bad to strop after shaving...but I can't remember what the reasons were.
You may have read it somewhere, but you will regret it if you do. Stropping after shaving does a number of things, among the most important is remove the micro-crud and moisture from the bevel. If you don't strop after a shave, you can expect your edges to last about 1/2 (or less) as long as a well stropped razor.Quote:
Originally Posted by tumtatty
Strop after a shave and before a shave, end of discussion.
There's nothing wrong with stropping after a shave.Quote:
Originally Posted by tumtatty
The linen surface is a bit harder and stiffer than the leather surface for stropping. If you're going to use linen, do that first and then the smooth leather. I always do at least 20-30 laps on linen, and then at least 50 laps on leather. You don't have to strop after the shave or even before it, but the blade should be stropped at some point between shaves to maintain the edge.
I did too, I dont remember where I read, but I remember I saw on youtube this man said not to strop after the shave, only stropping before the shave. I dont remember the reason why, and I also read about Dovo straight recommend to rest the razor for 24 - 48 hours before the next shave, For the best edge. but I think stropping on linen after shaving is a must to clean the moisturizer off the bladeQuote:
Originally Posted by tumtatty
I guess I'm in the minority here as I don't strop after I shave. All I do is rinse and wipe off the blade. Then hit the pivot area with compressed air to make sure it's dry. After that it is just a quick dip in alcohol and some oil. Haven't had a problem yet.
Everyone strops after they shave. It's impossible to avoid it, by definition. If someone strops before they shave, they are necessarily stropping after the last shave. There is no way to avoid it except by never stropping at all. If someone strops after they shave, they are also by definition stropping before their next shave. If someone strops before they shave and after they shave, they are essentially double stropping without reason because the stropping before the shave would be the same as stropping after the last shave. From a mathematical and logical point of view, there is no reason to strop before the shave if one stropped after the last shave because it has already essentially been done. Further, if one strops before the shave, then it is not true that he doesn't strop after the shave, because he has already done the shave and is now stropping after it.
Read the wiki thread Obie posted. Proper stropping technique will prepare and maintain your delicate edge. The key word is "proper". It does take some practice. Be patient and have fun.
Mike
+1Quote:
Originally Posted by str8fencer
With the exception if a new shave ready razor strop prior to shaving.
Some days I also strop in the middle of a shave for the last pass.
A strop does a couple of things... one of which
is remove micro bits of rust from the edge and the other
is to straighten and align the edge. Some days I also
add "work hardens" the edge too.
A strop also has strop dressing that in addition to keeping the
leather soft it wipes a thin layer of oil on the razor that
protects the edge.
A new shave ready razor will often be lightly coated with
a protective oil after it has been stropped. For a beginner
the risk of dulling the edge a bit is too common so it is
recommended to just rinse and shave.
Have fun...
I second this wholeheartedly!Quote:
Originally Posted by shooter74743