Thread: beginner question- letting the razor rest

Welcome to SRP. We've all heard the razor needs to rest and most think it is an 'old wives tale.' I don't know if there is anything to it because I've got too many razors to have ever tried shaving with one without giving it a day, a week or a month off. Mappin & Webb made a fine razor. Send it out for pro honing and rotate between the two just to make both edges last a little longer between touch ups. Also add to your rotation ..... maybe 1or 2 more would be sufficient.

All of this has confirmed my belief that resting a razor was pretty much hokum. I don't know a lot about metallurgy but I have never heard of resting a chefs knife either. I appreciate the responses and the wisdom.
I will store my razor in a nice dry place in it's own hammock and maybe even give it its own little Swiss army knife to snuggle with.

Thanks Gents,

Scott

Originally Posted by Johnus

Sorry. But that's why you need to strop! The 'New Growth' needs to be evened out to be smooth. You strop to even out the sharpness.

You've missed my point completely. I was not arguing that a blade's molecular structure is never modified with use and therefore doesn't need stropping; my point was that not allowing a blade to rest between shaves does nothing to modify the structure. The bit about stropping was to point out that stropping modifies the structure more so than not allowing the blade to rest between everyday use.

Hopefully some of the metal experts can chime into this thread.I want to know about this stuff.
There are alloys that can be made with memory that can change with body heat,one example is aortic stents we use to keep arterys open.
Some respected Razor people have stated that you should never strop after shaving because the blade edge is like cheeze,it is soft,perhaps more maliable,it needs to rest,I cannot see that happening with carbon steel.
Might there be some science to the above? I think not but am always willing to learn.

The needing to rest story was invented so guys could buy more razors... That's what they told thier wives.. Keep it on the down low...

Originally Posted by Wintchase

The needing to rest story was invented so guys could buy more razors... That's what they told thier wives.. Keep it on the down low...

Thanks>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"Beware the man with only Razor!" or was it "Book"? Either way look at a brief history of straight edge shaving. After giving up on "pulling" each hair out with a pair of clam shells; man started with a "Set of 7 Razors" one for each day of the week. The way it should be! Then sadly some greedy retailer said: I"ll advertise the fact that you only need 4 of my razors for the week because there better ( but I'll charge for 7!!!). Then the next guy said the same about 2! (but charge for 4 which was actually 7) and then what most of us are brainwashed into believing that you only need ""1"" which cost the same as 2/4/7!!! So that's how we got to the ""BIC""!!!
The brief History of Shaving!
(You really need 7.)

you need as may as you want............. I started out with one for the first 3 month's. It was only curiosity for different grinds and sizes that has made me buy more.
I would not say you have made a mistake at all. use one only then you will have a back up to keep shaving with when the other is out for honing.

I think the only thing leaving the razor to rest will achieve is allow the microscopic edge to dry out, but to no real advantage (noticeably). I personally like to strop after a shave to aid in removing any matter (from shaving) from the edge so it doesn't dry out/ oxidise with any remains of the shave. I've tried both stropping before shaving, and after shaving to find very little difference for me. It's preference, it's worth experimenting and going with what you find works for you

I agree with Wintchase though, if you have to leave your razor to rest, it's a reason (or excuse) to desire another one so you can alternate between resting. I don't think many wives would question that....

Is there any science to resting razors?