Thread: Why not strop a shavette?

Obviously because you dont need to....but why? Some might say because they're disposable and you throw away after 10 shaves (or so..) but then why not strop your straight after every 10 shaves (or so..). If its due to the type of steel used, then why not make straights out of this material?

.....just curious why its unnecessary..

....or maybe some of you do strop your shavettes!!?

Why not indeed. It's perfectly resonable thing to do IMO, if you're getting 10 shaves from a DE blade then all power to you, I could get maybe 4 when I was using a shavette.

I think a lot of folks probably don't because they don't have a strop, or maybe take them camping or something so it's one less thing to worry about.

I just asked this question regarding the feather in the feather vs straight thread. I've not used a shavette or a feather disposable straight, so I don't know how similar they are or if the feather actually is a shavette, but I guess the reason is that the angle wouldn't be right and that the blade would pull out?

+1. Plus the blade is flexible versus a straight razor.

I agree that normal stropping seems like it wouldn't work, based on the angle issue, but there may be alternatives. For example, a DE blade can be run along the inside of a drinking glass to keep the edge a bit longer. Maybe there is some similar strategy that can be used for other blade types.

Well at least everyone agrees you can shave perfectly well with your shavette without stropping? If so, why do we bother stropping a straight?

Originally Posted by Yahoochiewatchie

Well at least everyone agrees you can shave perfectly well with your shavette without stropping? If so, why do we bother stropping a straight?

Different purpose and design of the blade. The disposables were designed to be used until they were no longer fit for use and be disposed. Whereas a straight razor was designed and manufactured with re-use in mind. In order to keep the blade at its optimal performance it must be regularly stropped.

Originally Posted by Yahoochiewatchie

Well at least everyone agrees you can shave perfectly well with your shavette without stropping? If so, why do we bother stropping a straight?

You don't have to strop a straight either. If you don't then you'll get about 4 shaves out of it before it dulls, same as with a shavette. At this point you change the blade on your shavette or rehone your traditional straight.

Or just strop your straight every day and get several months out of the edge before it needs rehoning. It just depends on which you prefer, stropping or honing. There have been guys around here that have taken the no-stropping approach and been satisfied with the results, but most guys prefer at least a little stropping to stretch out the life of the edge to a week or two.

I think it depends on the type of shavette. I used to strop my Hairshaper blades and it did them a world of good. I don't think stropping would help the half DE my Sanguine takes though - there's not enough of the blade exposed to strop.

goshawk

Another issue with stropping a DE, SE or Feather AC blade is that you will remove the anti friction/anti corrosion coating. Your shave quality could actually deteriorate on subsequent shaves.

Add this to the "why would I do that" pile IMO.