Thread: WOW, what a difference a strop can make!

SO, in my haste to shave this morning, I grabbed a 'trusty' razor (One that I know delivers when my current shaver might need a touch up...which it does), lathered up and shaved. And ol' Trusty shaved, well, 'OK'.

I'm pushing through the shave, thinking, "Jeez, what's going on? Why does this razor Pull like it does?" etc, so forth

TILL I realized (as I was slowly waking up) that I did just what I mentioned in the first sentence. What's missing? HELL, I forgot to strop the lil'Lady! Day late and a dollar short, I lived with the 'OK' shave.

While it did pull slightly, she was kind enough not to give me tha aftershave shock of razor burn. But next time, even if I'm mindlessly tired, I'll try to remember to strop!

(But knowing my luck I'd wreck the edge doing a half-ass strop being so tired....)

Ah well, lesson learned.....

C utz

Since I've started shaving with a straight
back in January, I've did my stropping the
night before. It seems to work out quite
well for me.


Terry

Done the same thing myself but I figured it out right away the first stroke was all it took. I then just grabbed my Gem and finished the shave. I’ve given up trying to use a straight in the morning and shave the night before.

Was wondering how you've been. It's been many shaves since you were over to the house. I'm glad you found out about the strop. My standard recommendation to people now is to keep the razor sharp by stropping until it isn't sharp, then hone on a belgian coticule, then strop. It's been done that way for decades and still works!

On Lynn's suggestion I enjoy stropping while I have lather on my face for a few minutes. Helps wake me up, soften up the whiskers, and give me time to strop.

I just don't have time most mornings now. I have to shower the night before or I'll be late for work that morning.

X

There are SO many elements of straight razor shaving to enjoy. I call the prep work the "ceremonial" work. Stropping is not exactly fun, but it is necessary. And to enjoy it a bit more...like Josh, I lather up before stropping. It adds to the experience by being able to enjoy the scent of the shaving soap/cream for a bit longer. And THAT, is a good thing!

RT

Originally Posted by Howard

Was wondering how you've been. It's been many shaves since you were over to the house. I'm glad you found out about the strop. My standard recommendation to people now is to keep the razor sharp by stropping until it isn't sharp, then hone on a belgian coticule, then strop. It's been done that way for decades and still works!

Hey Howard!

LOL! Just one of those mornings I'm suprised I remembered to put shoes on.
I somewhat use your method, however, instead of a coticule, I go to the 8K...OR, just another razor all together! So many razors, I still have not tried everyone. I have some that I keep going back to.


Yep, I've since moved closer to Boston, so I'm no longer in your neck of the woods. Right now I am looking for a job asap! SO, who knows where I'll be come the end of January....new job, or couch potato?

C utz

I found that by getting up a half hour earlier,i have all the time in the world and can enjoy my shave and also enjoy the morning more,instead of feeling rushed all the time . you might say,get up early are you nuts ,well try it a couple days in a row, you wont miss the half hour sleep as much as you think and the payback is "priceless"
Mike