Thread: First real shave

Hello everyone, I am new to the community and new to straight blade shaving. I am about to shave with a straight blade for the first time. I have two quick questions. Does stropping need to be done immediately after shaving or can I do it before the next shave? The other question is when I'm done shaving do I clean out the mug with all the lather or do I leave all the un-used lather with the soap in the mug?

Thanks in advance, Paul

Many myself included wipe the blade and between the scales with tissue after a shave and then a few passes on the strop to make sure it is clean and dry.

Some do a full stropping, some do not strop post shave at all, just make sure your blade and scales are thoroughly dry, double check the pivot area.

I still do my main stropping just before my shave.

I rinse the lather out of my brush and bowl,

it won't hurt it if it not perfect and I think a few may not,

I just don't know what the flavor of the day is going to be until I go to shave.