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Gentlemen,
What are your thoughts on stropping between passes?
Depending on what razor I use, some days, by Jove, the blade has a mind of its own and I am forced to strop between the second and the third passs — I do three passes.
I don't know if the practice does any good or not, but it makes me feel better.
Regards,
Obie
I occasionally strop a little before my final, ATG pass. I suspect there are those here who would tell you that you shouldn't have to do it if your blade was sharp enough, your prep was good enough, etc. I don't necessarily disagree with that.
Also, my hunch is that two equally "sharp" edges can be very different in terms of how fragile they are, leaving one dulled by a pass or two while the other hasn't changed much.
Decent results when going from the 2nd pass to a final 3rd pass. Most of the time I don't need to do this unless I am starting off with a less than standard sharp edge.
I hope this helps!
Pabster
I used to do it when I first started honing. I haven't had the need for a pretty good while but there is nothing wrong with it. If it makes the next pass better go for it. I also used chrom ox on a flat bed hone to improve the second pass on occasion. I only do two passes, tender skin.
Gentlemen,
Thank you for your thoughts. They are useful.
Obie
For me, it depends upon the razor. I have a couple that benefit from a strop before ATG -- a Torrey and a Robeson. The rest don't seem to need it. These were all obtained shave ready, so I can't tell if it's the original sharpening or the steel.
Obie some razors do seem to have a mind of their own don't they:-) I have an old wedge that doesn't like it if I don't strop during a shave. I wouldn't say it's all that unusual to get at least one in your collection like that.
I have a brilliant 1/4 hollow that I can do multiple passes with without needing a strop, yet whenever I use one of my full hollows I need to swap razors in the middle of the shave (don't have a strop in my hall's communal bathroom, so I take two razors in then swap when it gets too blunt). I'm thinking I may have to look at getting rid of some of my hollow grounds and getting a few more wedges to replace them just so I don't have to swap (the shave's easier and smoother with my wedgier blade too), but we'll see - funds will decide that one for me.
Gentlemen,
Thanks again for your thoughts on this subject. At least now I know I am not the only one who thinks some razors have a mind of their own.
My family used to say that about me: that I was a good boy but that I also had a mind of my own. That's a good thing, I'd say.
A friend said to me, "Why then don't you use straight razors with replaceable blades and be done with it?"
I do use straight razors with replaceable blades occasionally, and frequently when traveling, those and a Merkur double edge travel razor. My straights with replaceable blades are the Feather Artist Club, which is probably the sharpest blade on earth, and a Monsieur Charles.
Yet none compares to the genuine straight razor and the theatre that accompanies its use: stropping, cleaning, examining, gently tamping dry, and a long list of pleasures coloring this magnificent instrument of pleasure that has a mind of its own and sometimes let's you know it, too.
And something else: This noble instrument also demands respect from the humble gentleman shaver. That's how it should be.
Regards,
Obie
ugh, i just posted in the topic where some guy cut his thumb upQuote:
Originally Posted by Obie
these things are no joke!
from time to time, I prep food while listening to music, or watching tv- i'm careful to keep my fingers curled back, and haven't cut myself yet. but my kitchen knives (as proud of them as i am) aren't nearly as sharp as a straight razor (or so i think- my first straight is due in the mail any day!)
Glad to see I'm not the only one who occasionally has to strop between passes. It's usually on one of my razors that probably needs to be rehoned. I'll do it right before the ATG pass.
I strop between passes out of habbit. I feel it gives the later time to soften the beard more and time for me to collect my thoughts. But I am going to try only stropping between the 2nd and 3rd pass. We'll see how it goes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ndw76
I am with Nathen here on his thought I strop between the first WTG pass and the second XTG/ATG pass.... Does the razor need it ???? Nope.... do I need it ???? Yep,,, it lets the lather have some time, and me have some time to think about solving the worlds problems :) I do 10 laps leather only...
Plus the barber that introduced me to straights back in 1981 did it that way.... so I have done it that way for to long to change now...
Last night I tried only stropping between the 2nd and 3rd passes. I only did about 20 laps on the leather. The shave didn't suffer any, infact it felt better not having to walk the six paces to where my strop has to hang.
But I did find a benefit of stropping between passes. Because my wife and I live with my in-laws in a house with nine other people (this includes my father in-law who thinks he can sing and his three wives). The only place I have available to shave is in the kitchen. I have to share this space with who ever happens to be walking through at the time. I have found that if I strop between passes sometimes the screaming peaks when I'm stropping and not when I have a razor to my throat.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
I did this during my shave last night. Not sure if i really noticed a difference or not. But it did add to the "Experience"....
I never found a need to strop between passes. In fact since I shave ever morning before work I wouldn't have the time. If you were carving a roast would you stop between slices to resharpen your knife? I think not...:o. In my humble opinion if your razor is sharp enough stropping before your shave is enough.
Not to sound snobby, but if your technique is good and you are working with a good blade, i don't think it is something I would want or need to do.The better my technique get, the less quickly the edge deteriorates. When learning, I use to ruin edges very quickly on my XXcoarse Sicilian Stuble. My beard has the consistancy of black electrical wire:(. It is all about touch and skewing the blade. This week learning that point leads are good has made me as happy as a pig in S*&^t:) as I don't have to depend on the heal lead.More strokes in my arsenal. If you have any heavy areas that you 90 degree plow your edge will go down very fast.
Such a multifaceted art, the art of honing, the art of stroping, the art of lathering and prep and sometimes the least understood art of the shave itself.
Mike