Thread: When to strop??

Beginners question coming up.

I just got hold of my first straight razor from doughboy1968, through the classifieds section of straightrazorplace. (Absolutely wonderful guy to deal with, by the way!)

I used it last night, and I'm desperate to go again, but I'm a bit unsure whether this might damage it.

I've found a couple of websites which say you need to wait 48 hours after shaving for the metal to reshape before stropping, but I've also read of guys who strop immediately after shaving.

Any advice? I suppose in the longer term I should get a second razor, so that I can rotate. Is this how razor acquisition disorder starts??

There are many schools of thought on this particular subject.

Some say wait, some do a few laps on linen when they are done, and some strop mid-shave.

I look at it like this the old Pro's, the real barbers stropped their razors several time a day and gave great shaves.

I strop before shaving. Some guys strop before and after, with the after to help ensure that everything is clean and dry.

I pay no credence to the "rest your edge" theories, as, as far as I can tell, they have no support.

I remember the "rest the edge" theory getting a lot of air time when I first started here at SRP about 2 and a half years ago. I think it has been debunked, as many of us, myself included, strop after shaving (30 linen to clean and dry the edge).

Really bad straight shavers might have to wait 48 hours for their faces to reshape, but the blades will be fine.

Thanks to all!

I'll strop and shave again today, but I have a feeling a second razor is only a matter of time!

A second razor is a good idea as you will need another shave ready blade for when your first one needs honing. I got most of mine from the Classified section where one can find a true shave ready vintage razor at reasonable cost, sometimes in the $ 50 range. The people selling on the Classifieds like and know how to use and maintain straights which is often not true on e-Bay.

Hi

Yes, you're dead right!

I've read a lot of negatives about eBay, so I'll probably avoid it. There are a lot of razors around the $50 mark in the classifieds, or I might try whippeddog, who also seem to be well regarded

Thanks for the advice

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I strop before shaving. Some guys strop before and after, with the after to help ensure that everything is clean and dry.

I pay no credence to the "rest your edge" theories, as, as far as I can tell, they have no support.

+1

Before for sure. After on linen, and sometimes on both after. I put it up clean of everything that could be left behind from the shave.

Never heard of the "rest" thing.