beginner question- letting the razor rest

Hello Gents,

This is my first post and, of course, I have already made a beginner mistake, although not bad, in my opinion.

I purchased a very nice Dovo from SRD and it has arrived at my home, unfortunately I'm not there to enjoy it yet. I also purchased a nice older razor from Edsons Razors (a Mappin and Webb) after reading about the need to let a razor rest after use. I am now somewhat confused because it seems that buying a second razor seems to be a rookie mistake even though the consesus seems to be that you need more than one razor.
Did I make a mistake or do you actually need to let your razor rest after the first brief sideburn only shave?

Also, I have a beard (chinstrap, goatee) so I won't be shaving my sidedurn to start should I start on my cheek nearest the sudeburn?

Thank you,
Scott

Welcome to SRP!

I'm not so sure about the "let the razor rest" thing, but by having two razors or more you still have a razor to shave with when sending te other one(s) out for honing.

Start with your cheek as you say, it is the flattest and easiest part of the face to shave.

The letting the razor rest theory is just one of many. It's not nessacery I have shaved using one razor almost everyday for 3 months before with out issues.

I have also tried the resting theory and really didn't find it to do anything for the razor.

The only things I have found to really help a razor edge is stropping and honing.

As for having two razors that's not a bad thing what I would suggest though is oil and put one away for about three months and just use the one to get your technique down. Then when the first one needs a honing you can send it out and pull the other out. It will also give you a real good idea of how far your technique has developed.

You can test the "resting a razor" theory yourself. If you have two razors, make a little bed for one of them after you shave with it. Put it in the closet in its bed, tuck the sheets in carefully and turn off the light. A day later you can compare the two and determine whether the rest made any difference. Remember to wake it gently from its rest. Razors can get cranky when awakened abruptly.

I think there was a lengthy discussion about how long you need to rest your 5/8 razor before they grow to respectable 6/8, mighty 7/8, or the heroic 8/8.
YMMV.

Just be careful because they multiply like rabbits.

I always let my razors rest at least 24 hours , before I use them again . Seriously , the razor resting theory was put to the test years ago , on this forum , and proven to be nothing but poppycock .

While I'm no steel chemist, I have plenty of experience forging, lathing, milling, heat-treating, shearing, etc. to say that the idea that a metal blade needs to rest after use seems like, as dave5225 put it, poppycock. If it were the case, sheet metal workers, sheering factories, and butchers would be going through blades like no other. Tobacco pipes need resting after use, sure, but wood is not steel. What happens in a steel rest? The molecules dry out, expel shaving soap residues, and somehow sturdy themselves for the next strop? I don't think so. Logic tells me that if it's common practice to strop just before a shave, the action of stropping itself modifies the steel molecules more so than reusing the razor every 12 or 24 hours.

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Originally Posted by ace

You can test the "resting a razor" theory yourself. If you have two razors, make a little bed for one of them after you shave with it. Put it in the closet in its bed, tuck the sheets in carefully and turn off the light. A day later you can compare the two and determine whether the rest made any difference. Remember to wake it gently from its rest. Razors can get cranky when awakened abruptly.

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Not sure if beds are the best place... The resting location should be dry and ventilated. Otherwise , you can be proud of your recommendations!

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Originally Posted by Annixter

While I'm no steel chemist, I have plenty of experience forging, lathing, milling, heat-treating, shearing, etc. to say that the idea that a metal blade needs to rest after use seems like, as dave5225 put it, poppycock. If it were the case, sheet metal workers, sheering factories, and butchers would be going through blades like no other. Tobacco pipes need resting after use, sure, but wood is not steel. What happens in a steel rest? The molecules dry out, expel shaving soap residues, and somehow sturdy themselves for the next strop? I don't think so. Logic tells me that if it's common practice to strop just before a shave, the action of stropping itself modifies the steel molecules more so than reusing the razor every 12 or 24 hours.

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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.

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. :gl:

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

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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.

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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...

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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...

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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.... :ziplip:

Is there any science to resting razors?

I have studied metallurgy and the science is that the metal razors are made from is generally heat treated. This means that once set, the micro-structure of the metal will only change if heat (significantly high) is applied. Unless you leave your razor to rest in an oven, I can see no reason that the edge of a razor would change. The longer the razor is left to rest, the greater the corrosion to the metal and therefore cause dulling of the edge. This is why a majority of straight users oil their razors, because the oil helps prevent/ reduce corrosion of metal. Not forgetting of course that the environment you leave your razor in will affect the corrosion, humid environments cause more corrosion - this is why I don't leave my razor in my bathroom.

I hope this helps :)

Where I am coming from is that some well respected,knowledgable people have said stropping after shaving and rinsing will destroy an edge bye vertue of the edge being soft like cheese after using.I do not believe it,they do not offer any scientific proof,I cannot find any.

It's an interesting point. I would say that the edge is soft like cheese before and after using it, hence why everyone would agree that delicate handling is good practise. The general view of using a linen strop before leather is to warm the edge and make it malleable so that when stropped on the leather, it's more pliable and the edge should re-align with less effort. So in the case of stropping after a shave, softer is by consensus, desirable? This is my view, but respect that others have their preferences :)

I personally like to strop after shaving and before because I like stropping and I have had no problems to my edges...

If my edges are "soft like cheese after using", then that must be some pretty darn sharp cheese, maybe a sharp cheddar or something like that. After my next shave, I'm going to test this with the HCT, the hanging cheese test. I'll start with some Stilton and work up to a five year aged sharp cheddar. Even better, I get to eat the results!

Soft like cheese ? Poppycock , hokum , bunk , and the bollocks ! :mace::roflmao

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Originally Posted by fahnreich

Hello Gents,

This is my first post and
.....
I purchased a very nice Dovo
......
Did I make a mistake or do you actually need to let your razor rest after the first brief sideburn only shave?

Also, I have a beard (chinstrap, goatee) so I won't be shaving my sidedurn to start should I start on my cheek nearest the sudeburn?

Thank you,
Scott

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First welcome.

Next Dovo makes a fine razor.

You do not need to let your razor rest. Strop smooth and lightly
and you are good to go.

If you were an old school barber shaving a dozen folk a day
we can revisit the topic.

As for starting -- start on the bits you shave that are easy to shave.
If you like big sides then those are not bits you shave so not a question....

As for two razors it is nice to have a second blade. Like working
on cars you need a second so you can go and gets parts. If you
hone your razor today or send it out it might not be ready for tomorrow.
A couple bucks in BiC yellow handle for sensitive skin tossables will
help you bridge the gaps as needed. In the old days when you got
your semi-annual haircut you might also get your razor honed by
the barber.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ace

You can test the "resting a razor" theory yourself. If you have two razors, make a little bed for one of them after you shave with it. Put it in the closet in its bed, tuck the sheets in carefully and turn off the light. A day later you can compare the two and determine whether the rest made any difference. Remember to wake it gently from its rest. Razors can get cranky when awakened abruptly.

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Yes indeed....

As luck would have it I found a big box of razor mattresses
under the sink in my girlfriends bathroom. They work so
much better than mouse pads from the computer store.

As for steel the process of stropping work hardens the ultra
thin steel edge (bend a steel coat hanger back and forth till it breaks).
Normal room temperature will undo that hardening a bit with time.
However if you strop the blade 20-50 times and not 200,000times
the thin edge will not crack off and become dull.

Strop light and smooth with your daily shaver and
it will will be fine.