Thread: What a difference a little trick can make!

My good buddy floppy shoes held the first ever straight razor symposium last month for the Montreal area! One of the fellows there told me that he lathers up and then strops his razor. I decided to give that a try and what a difference! No irritation or those tiny little blood spots in the chin area.

Rich

Always acknowledge a fault frankly. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more.” – Mark Twain

Neat indeed

Is it because the lather has more time to saturate the hairs I wonder?

This is what I do. I take my time face lathering and let it sit while I strop or in the case when I use my DE razor I just let it sit for a minute or so. . . makes a big difference. IMO this is the only "pre-shave" product you need. The lather will soften the beard if you give it some time. . .

I always strop when I turn the shower on and let the hot water start up. Then out of the shower I lather up and then . . . . what do I do while I wait for the lather to soak? Oh, yea, I strop up some more!

Then I relather again before shaving. You know I think I probably do more strokes on the strop then I realize.

Even if I don't strop I let the first app of lather soak completely in and then lather again.

Yep all of the above, and my own trick, After stropping I lay a hot towel over the lather and wait about 30 seconds, and then re-lather....AHHHHhhhhhh life is good

I've also had good result applying the Proraso Pre/Post cream and letting that sit while I strop, apply deo. etc. Then I rinse and or do a hot towel before lathering and shaving.

Jordan

That's an interesting concept to try. It makes sens I guess I just never thought of it. Maybe now I will have less tugging, not that my razors tug bad but there is resitence on certain areas of my face.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

After stropping I lay a hot towel over the lather and wait about 30 seconds, and then re-lather

+1 Here. I saw this in Lynn's DVD, tried it, and will never start my pre-shave without it.

Thanks SRP!

I also practice this. My routine is to soak a towel and the brush in very hot tap water while I'm preparing other things. Then I make my lather, apply it, and wrap the hot towel around my face. While all this soaks in, I strop up the razor. When I'm finished stropping, I wipe my face clean, reapply lather, and go to town! (not literally, I actually finish the shave.)

~Chris

a. Wash face
b. Witch Hazel next.
c. Hot towel (wet the towel wring and pop into microwave .. you need to experiment with your microwave..) Hot towel again
d. Lather
e hot towel
f. Re-lather
g. Strop razor
h. Shave
j. hot towel 2 or 3 times
k. witch hazel again...
Last thing is to uses a good quality Vitamin E face lotion(without fragerance) and finish with your or your favorite honey's aftershave

Lately because of heart attack and skin problems I have curtailed using Straight razor but will get back to that soon...