Originally Posted by
JoshEarl
Matt,
For a long time, I thought my beard would only let me get three shaves from a newly honed razor. The first shave would be great, the second OK, and then the third the razor would feel prickly.
The problem was my stropping. I spent so much time messing with my hones that I never learned to strop properly.
I think those of us with tough beards require more intense stropping than average. Lately I've been starting out my stropping by using some pressure for maybe 30 laps or so, then gradually lightening up until I'm using no pressure. Sometimes it takes more laps than that. Especially after the first couple of shaves, it takes a little more time to get the edge back. Then it's easier the next few times.
Does your hair work for the HHT? You can see the progress of the edge as you strop it. After I shave, the edge usually barely passes the HHT. When I'm done it's back to the level I got off the hone--sometimes better.
I'd suggest reading up in the stropping forum. Pay special attention to posts by AFDavis and honedright. They have some good stuff to say. :)
One more tip: I strop the night before, when I'm less rushed and can experiment a little more. The edge doesn't seem to go anywhere over night.
Good luck,
Josh