Page 1 of 4 1234 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 35
  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Washington, DC
    Posts
    218
    Thanked: 19

    Default Stropping after a shave?

    A buddy told me that its sometimes recommended to do about 10 laps on linen and 15 on leather after finishing up a shave, before putting the razor back in the stand. I haven't seen anything on that here, really. Thoughts? Opinions? What would be the purpose of stropping a little after a shave? Would it hurt, help, or have no effect on the edge?

  2. #2
    Certified madman cako72's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Sweden
    Posts
    189
    Thanked: 95

    Default

    I am of the opinion that stropping after the shave will dry the edge and get it slightly "greased", thus preventing microrust.

    But it's just an opinion, mind you, and others surely has tons to say about this matter!!

    Best regards

    Clas

  3. #3
    Senior Member Croaker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    1,360
    Thanked: 376

    Default

    I subscribe, for lack of any solid information, to the "fin" theory, that says the actual sharp portion of the blade gets bent during a shave, and straightens out about 24-48 hours later. Since it is so thin, that makes sense to me.It needs time to come back to normal, so it can be stropped and used again. It follows that if you strop the edge when it is bent, you might break some delicate edge metal off. More honing would be required. I have not seen actual microsopic photos of the razor edge
    AFTER a shave. If some enterprising soul with a good LCD microscope could take some "before shaving" and "after shaving" photos of the bevel, it might clear up this question forever. Any takers with the right photo equipment out there?

    Thank you.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Earthdawn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    NY, Long-eye land
    Posts
    944
    Thanked: 201

    Default

    I strop mine on linen about 15 laps for no other reason then to be sure I have cleaned off any soap and or water that cant be seen.

    Just my 2 cents and the way I do it.

    I would be interested in seeing more on Croakers thoughts etc.

  5. #5
      Lynn's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    St. Louis, Missouri, United States
    Posts
    8,454
    Thanked: 4942
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default

    I also strop after every shave. Old habit. No special reason. I let the razor dry then strop and put it up.

    Lynn

  6. #6
    All in RareBreed's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Ɲєω ϻė×ıçǭ
    Posts
    138
    Thanked: 12

    Default

    I’m along the same thought process of Croaker; Right after a shave I make sure the blade is good and dry and I safely leave it open to “cure” overnight. It’s most likely fine to strop right after shaving, but I like the idea of letting the razor “breath” for a day and then stropping right before a shave…..

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    275
    Thanked: 53

    Default

    I strop 6 stokes or so on my arm to make sure the edge is dry and give it a little 'skin-oil'.

  8. #8
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    St. Paul, MN, USA
    Posts
    2,401
    Thanked: 335

    Default

    We've got the strop to help dry the edge camp, the I've always done it that way camp, and the wait to strop until the plastic deformation fins have had a chance to normalize camp. There may be other camps out there, but I can't see the fires from here. I have the sneaking suspicion that so long as you physically strop correctly, you can probably do it whenever you want and probably for as long as you want to flap your arm and it's fine, just fine.

  9. #9
    Life is short, filled with Stuff joke1176's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Columbia, MO
    Posts
    1,394
    Thanked: 231

    Default

    I strop 10-20 on linen to clean and de-soap and 15-30 on leather afterward.

    I am of the "let the strop dressing grease the edge and prevent rust" camp, that plastic deformation normalizing idea just doesn't sit right with me.

  10. The Following User Says Thank You to joke1176 For This Useful Post:

    theworldover (02-23-2009)

  11. #10
    I Bleed Slurry Disburden's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Carmel, NY
    Posts
    2,458
    Thanked: 545

    Default

    I strop before and after a shave.

    I don't know why, but I love stropping and the cool sound it makes so I just do it more than I may need to!

Page 1 of 4 1234 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •