Thread: Has anyone else had this experience???

I've got about a dozen razors in my rotation, so it can be a couple of weeks between uses of any individual razor.

I've noticed an interesting phenomenon and wonder if anyone else has.

Right after I hone a razor ( .5 and .25 micron paste strop) the shave can be harsh: uncomfortable scraping of the skin and some razor burn .

I've found that if I let the razor rest for a couple of weeks or longer, then strop on linen followed by leather, the next shave is really great - very smooth on my skin and really close.

I'm wondering if the long rest is allowing more corrosion to build up on the edge, thereby slightly dulling it, which is then cleaned off by the linen strop and polished on the leather.

I'm wondering if anyone else has ever noticed anything similar?

Tom

I found the first after-hone shave to be the harshest (but not unbearably so, just a bit more than the subsequennt ones). After that, whether the edge rests or not, the shave quality starts improving.

I just sometimes find the first shave after honing to need the strop occassionally between passes, but our suggestion bears considering.

X

I have not noticed that but I will make note of it in the future.

I've had this happen. Here are my two theories:

1) the edge is very near being (if not already) overhoned

2) the hardness of the diamond makes deeper/harsher marks in the steel that requires more stropping than from other hones to restore the proper polish.

There have been a number of observations made by the members here to much the same effect. The first shave seems to be the harshest with subsequent shaves feeling smoother.


Just my two cents,

Is is subsequent shaves in general that feel smoother or is it the time I wait before the second shave??

I don't use pasted strops just the old hone method but I do find that with many razors, but not all after honing the first shave is a bit harsh. On a few others its more harsh and some no difference. I don't think it has anything to do with time but the fact that the edge is a tad on the rough side and that first side smooths things out with your face acting like the strop.

Originally Posted by tombuesing

Is is subsequent shaves in general that feel smoother or is it the time I wait before the second shave??

In general it seems to be subsequent shaves and not related to time bwetween shaves.