Should I strop?

Hey fellas - Just got my first straight in from SRD. I've been lurking and researching for a few weeks. What a great resource here at SRP. I got my straight in the mail yesterday, but I've had a little one with the flu, so I haven't had a go with it yet...but I might today :dropjaw:. I was wondering if I should strop the razor before I use it for the first shave? My thinking is that, since the razor was honed by Lynn and only test shaved, maybe I could just wipe the oil off and do my first shave? Since I have never stropped, I figure the edge is probably in better shape now than it would be if I stropped it. I've seen some videos where it is said that you might be able to get 2-3 shaves out of each stropping depending on face prep, weight of the beard, etc. I'm fairly meticulous, so I will eventually work my way into stropping before every shave, but I'm wondering if I can get a better experience by shaving with the razor as is right now. Any thoughts or input would be appreciated. Thanks for sharing your knowledge on this great forum.

When I got mine back from Glen he said not to strop on the first one, as he had done it before oiling and sending it back. I assume Lynn does the same. I'd go for it as is.

I just recently started with straights and i did not strop for the first shave. I wanted to have a feel for what it's supposed to feel like, i have stropped prior to each subsequent shave.

Good advice above - don't strop, just use it and enjoy. :)

Hi BTR,

Your assumption is right on. Wipe the oil off being careful of the edge and use your razor the first time as it came. You can rely on the edge to be shave ready, so any discomfort will be from prep or technique which is always a challenge, and normal in the beginning, but you'll know it wasn't the razor.

After shaving its a good idea to rinse the blade with hot water to remove soap residue, etc. and dry with a clean soft cloth. It's also recommended by most to do maybe 10 light laps on the fabric strop and the leather after cleaning to make sure no moisture or residue is left on the edge which can degrade it fairly rapidly if left there.

Try to never get water, lather, etc. in the pivot pin of the razor.

If you haven't already, it's helpful to read up on the first shave in the wiki, linked below, and also take a look at beginners tips here Straight Razor Place - Welcome to Straight Razor Place . Lots of good info in the wiki and the forum to help with the first shaves.

Welcome to SRP, and if I can ever help out, I'm only about 30 miles south.

Best Regards,
Howard :)

Edit: Thought I would link this video by Lynn on strops and stropping. I think it's a great help. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

Thanks for all of the quick and helpful replies, fellas. SirStropalot...It is duely noted that you are both close and knowledgable...Lol...Thanks for the offer. I'll likely look you up when I decide to take on honing, but that will be awhile as I will send my razor back to SRD for a complimentary honing when my razor needs to be honed. Or, should I wait and try to hone my razor first (when needed) and then send it to SRD to correct my attempt at honing?

Well, it's kinda up to you, but unless you have a backup razor, and you send yours to SRD you'll be without for a couple of weeks. If you mishone (new word) you can be out longer. If your edge goes south and you don't mind a relatively short drive we can hone it together for a touchup. It'll also give you a chance to try your hand, and also have your hands on most of the hones that are generally recommended, which can help when you're deciding what you might want to buy for yourself.

You can always pm (private message) me by clicking on my user name and then "send private message".

Howard :D

Edit: Sorry for this being kind of piecemeal, but had 3 things going and the phone ringing and couldn't keep a line of thought going. If you want, we can also work on stropping, building lather, technique, etc. the things that generally plague all of us in the beginning. You're more than welcome to come down.

Thank you, sir. I will likely contact you by PM to see about trying to shorten my learning curve. Right now, the flu bug has set up shop at our house, so I want to make sure we're clear of that before I holler. Thanks again!

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Originally Posted by BTR0s3

Thank you, sir. I will likely contact you by PM to see about trying to shorten my learning curve. Right now, the flu bug has set up shop at our house, so I want to make sure we're clear of that before I holler. Thanks again!

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Sounds good. And thanks for the flu reprieve, I sure don't need that!! LOL

It'll be fun!

Regards,
Howard

BTR - 'Just a word of strong encouragement to take SirStropalot up on his offer. The face to face time can really help alot. If its okay w/ the good Sir, bring your strop and have him observe your stropping and your shaving. It can save you weeks of struggle.

SirStropalot: bravo for helping. Again, Bravo!

I certainly plan to take SirStropalot up on his offer. I took my first run at a shave today. What suprised me most is how hard it was to see my face in the mirror where most people say to start, which was high on my strong side cheek. I couldn't see at all and it was totally by feel. But I gained a little confidence and did most of my right cheek without getting close to my ear or lips. Then I did the same on the left cheek using my left hand. Then I did some passes on my neck based on the direction of hair growth but staying away from the jaw line. I got that far with no blood or nicks, so I figured that was good enough for a first run. I wonder if my angle was too shallow though as I was leaving quite a bit of shaving cream on my face. On the videos I've watched, the guys are taking every bit of lather off of their faces with each stroke. I know it's just technique though as the razor was shave ready based on the conversations early on in the thread (Lynn honed the razor and I did not strop). Looking forward to my next run at it! Thanks for all the advise! More advise welcomed!

I sharpen straights for a friend of mine that shaves himself as well as his wife's legs. Since he knows that improper stropping will do more damage than no stropping he just doesn't strop. Although he is not a daily shaver he can go for quite awhile and still get good shaves.
I have heard of using a butter knife to practice with but I think taping the edge and going at it with the taped straight should work at least as well.
The main thing is keeping the spine of the razor in contact with the strop at all times. Lifting the spine allows the edge to touch at a bad angle. Light pressure on the strop is all you want and you really don't have to pull much to keep the strop taught enough.
You will get those shaving angles figured out pretty quick.
Good luck

yes, it prolongs the the time between honing.