Thread: 12000k whetstone is stropping needed?

Originally Posted by WW243

I guess alignment is the word because nothing on the strop indicates that metal has left any sign of having been there (or has it?). .

http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...tml#post585486


This is from a few years back when I took the pics, it has happened multiple times, some as you can read have different ideas, for me knowing my own routine it was simple, there is no doubt in my mind, that metal is coming off the razors,,, After multiple strops, there is nothing anyone could do or say to change my mind

You are going to have to decide for yourself

I shaved half my face before stropping and the other have with stropping. Before stropping was closer but not as comfortable as the stropped side. Thanks for the help guys. Stropping is def a plus

It seems like since you're going to be stropping every subsequent time after your first shave, why not do it for the first shave? Unless you're asking if you should just not strop in general...
I've asked the question myself about pastes/sprays, but stropping is so normal to the daily routine, to me that's an easy one - just strop. haha.

Are your strops discolored in the same way as the linen pic you posted.....I hope you are not getting the idea that I am questioning the effectiveness of stropping, just playing devil's advocate with the OP a little. Truth is I believe some things I can't see and I don't believe some things I do see.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...tml#post585486


This is from a few years back when I took the pics, it has happened multiple times, some as you can read have different ideas, for me knowing my own routine it was simple, there is no doubt in my mind, that metal is coming off the razors,,, After multiple strops, there is nothing anyone could do or say to change my mind

You are going to have to decide for yourself

I finish my straight with 12k Naniwa waterstone but then I strop it with Diamond paste 20k and then pure leather. I like to describe those edges beyond razor sharp I have noticed that stropping is the cherry on cake. Without stropping your shave wont be as good as it would be with stropping.

Originally Posted by WW243

Are your strops discolored in the same way as the linen pic you posted.....I hope you are not getting the idea that I am questioning the effectiveness of stropping, just playing devil's advocate with the OP a little. Truth is I believe some things I can't see and I don't believe some things I do see.

No,

Which IMO is why I use the linen first, always

That was what I was taught way back in the dark ages before internet

Yes… linen to clean then leather to polish.

Kind of like washing the car before you polish & wax. Linen/flax does have some natural abrasiveness to it to clean and polish.

Look at your razor just before you strop under magnification, it is surprising what is on the blade, bevel and edge. Skin, soap, blood, dust and who knows what. If you don’t strop on linen or something first, all that gets imbedded into or on your fine leather.