Thread: Question about post-shave stropping

I work with a bunch of metalurgist and materials engineers. There is no metalurgical reason to rest a razor. I have found no science to support the razor repairing itself while sitting on the shelf. If anyone has reference to any document other than the Dovo sight I would appreciate a link.

Originally Posted by john3126

I work with a bunch of metalurgist and materials engineers. There is no metalurgical reason to rest a razor. I have found no science to support the razor repairing itself while sitting on the shelf. If anyone has reference to any document other than the Dovo sight I would appreciate a link.

Here the link Here your looking for, the proof is in the pudding!

Originally Posted by Martin103

The resting has been mentioned countless times in many articles, from my own experienced its a myth. That said stropping after the shave yields a totally different outcome, read the articles below.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...my-1841-a.html
http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...ca-1841-a.html

Interesting article, Martin. Not intended for wives, I expect, especially the part about suggesting that an unresponsive one may need a "stimulant judiciously applied" comparable to "honing and stropping"! Sounds like it would be considered spousal abuse today!

Originally Posted by john3126

I work with a bunch of metalurgist and materials engineers. There is no metalurgical reason to rest a razor. I have found no science to support the razor repairing itself while sitting on the shelf. If anyone has reference to any document other than the Dovo sight I would appreciate a link.

I received instructions from one of the vendors here that said for best results have two razors so one cod rest. But if I was a salesman I would say that too.

I am going to take up the challenge but I do believe if resting worked than your razor would have to be made of fluid metal. If it was made of some fluid metal how does it know when to stop resting? Wouldn't it just become a puddle?

Just going to play devils advocate here so please no one take offense, that coming from a Dovo rep, they also say their razors are " shave ready " when they leave the factory ,, Just saying. Tc

Originally Posted by Martin103

Here the link Here your looking for, the proof is in the pudding!

LOL. You should have heard the razzing I got about this at work.

I serve a lot of barbers, they don't let their blades rest. Never heard a butcher or chef let their knives rest.
I let my brain rest, don't believe in over working it.

I changed up the test a bit. I figure the test would only be equal if I used the same razor for resting a day as I do for stopping daily before and after. I have been using a Dovo Silver steel 5/8 touched up on a coticule. I have been stropping daily before and after the shaves. Each day the razor has been getting better. Smoother. No Pulling, no irritation and it does not seem to be dulling.

My other razors are getting jealous.

Tomorrow I will touch up the Dovo, though it does not need it, to make it and equal test as I touched it up before the two weeks of daily shaving, stropping before and after. I will then shave with the Dovo every other day only stropping before and resting for a day between shaves.

As for rust, I normally store my razors out of my humid basement shave den. For this test I have been carefully drying the Dovo and covering it top and bottom with a microfiber towel leaving it in the moist environment. No oil. I have no stains, or spots on the razor. For the next portion I will do the same.

Well, I have completed the test.

Resting with no stropping after the shave seemed as good as stropping immediately after drying the razor. I will always strop before shaving but I think I have given up the post shave strop.

As for resting, besides this test my razors never see two days in service in a row and that will continue as long as I collect razors. Rust was never really an issue and I kept the Dovo in a humid shave den folded in a towel and rust never appeared. I did carefully dry it after each shave.

Jim

Originally Posted by JTmke

Well, I have completed the test.

Resting with no stropping after the shave seemed as good as stropping immediately after drying the razor. I will always strop before shaving but I think I have given up the post shave strop.

As for resting, besides this test my razors never see two days in service in a row and that will continue as long as I collect razors. Rust was never really an issue and I kept the Dovo in a humid shave den folded in a towel and rust never appeared. I did carefully dry it after each shave.

Jim

Well thanks for your effort, Jim. I can't say as I'm surprised with your results, given all the opinions I've received, in this and another forum in which I posted the same question. See:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...93#post6607893

I actually began post-shave stropping myself on the advice of a "straight razor mentor" who recommends it as a method to ensure thorough cleaning of the blade after use:

Joe,

All great questions and I am flattered that my personal patterns are being used. To be honest, the 30/60 pre strop is my normal routine. Sometimes, the strop session just "feels right" and I go further than normal. Now, the exception would be anytime I put the edge to a hone and then, 100 on leather is a minimum for me.

As to the post strop, that is crucial to removing dried soap, hair and moisture or other gunk from the edge. Cloth/linen first to remove microscopic debris and then on to the leather to further burnish and straighten the edge before storage. The pre-strop could either include the linen or not depending upon the time spent between shaves. I like the linen because it helps to remove things that could ruin your strop over time as well as ruin the edge when stropped on leather.

Before and after stropping has a real purpose and all the most experienced shavers and barbers do it so that is why I do.

This only complements a thorough cleaning and drying routine, though, and by no means replaces it (I also subsequently use a few drops of Ballistol to ensure rust prevention as well). In my neophytic stage of skill development, however, I only practice using a straight once a week anyway, so my own observations have no bearing on the "resting" issue.

So there you have it! I suppose it will always be primarily an issue of personal preference. Thanks for all your input, Jim!

Best regards,
Joe