First off, I always strop on plain leather cowhide or horsehide hanging strops before a shave. For Easter, I went out of town and rather than grab all my shaving gear, I grabbed one of my shave ready razors that I shave with frequently and comfortably, some brushless cream I've never used before and my alum block. I stropped the razor very well at home, packed it up in a dry razor box with some tissue wrapped around it for a snug ride and that was it.

I did not strop the razor this morning, prepped and went right for a shave. Keep in mind, this Larkin round point gives me close comfortable irritation free shaves that leave nothing to complain about. Disappointing shave, disappointing edge. Huh??? There is an altitude change from where I live to where I was, but nothing dramatic. I don't think it's the brushless shave cream (Dr. Sheffield's given as a gift/door prize at the last MN SRP meet) because the edge that glides through whiskers at home was close to crap today in another location.

I will strop that same razor as usual for tomorrow's shave and I'm betting the edge is just as it should be.

Has anyone had similar experiences and if so, any theories?

Chris L