A Pilgrim's Straight Razor Journey

Gentlemen,

I will always consider myself a pilgrim in pursuit of knowledge and wisdom from the masters of the the straight razor. And some of you, indeed, are masters.

The subject may already have been covered in this learned forum and I apologize if I missed it. Tell me, what are your thoughts on stropping the razor after the shave is completed and resting the blade for the next shave?

I have heard differing views on the practice outside this forum, and in some writings by straight razor experts. I would like to hear from you, the masters. Thanks.

Regards,

Obie

I strop 25 on canvas, 25 on leather. I think it helps to dry the blade and I don't think it could possibly do it any harm.

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Originally Posted by Obie

Tell me, what are your thoughts on stropping the razor after the shave is completed and resting the blade for the next shave?

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You'll find many potential answers in this thread: Letting the razor "rest" - Straight Razor Place Forums.

Gentlemen,

My question centers on stropping the razor after the shave is completed. The resting is given, of course. I do rest my straights at least 24 hours, as do many of you. So that is not the question. Rather, the question is: What are your thoughts on stropping the razor after the shave is completed?

Regards,

Obie

Ah, okay. Sorry for the confusion.

I don't strop after shaving. I have read that some do it to dry the blade to prevent rusting. I just rinse the blade off and dry it with a towel. Then I leave it open to dry completely. I store my razors in a tooth brush stand so the air can circulate around it or in a safe w/ silicone dry packs. Cigar boxes made of Spanish cedar worked well for 5 of my razors stored for 20 yrs in one. I had a few in a china cabinet for a few weeks and the edge started rusting very quickly. Go figure. I think if the moisture in the air has someplace to go before condensing on the razor you'll be fine. Be sure to get all of the lather off the blade and inside the scales as it will tarnish the edge/metal.

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Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Ah, okay. Sorry for the confusion.

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That's an interesting thread. How did the experiment turn out? I didn't see any links to the followup. Thanks!

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Originally Posted by richmondesi

That's an interesting thread. How did the experiment turn out? I didn't see any links to the followup. Thanks!

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Bump the thread to see how the experiment went :)

I always strop after shaving, on linen. I'm going linen until it feels right and then, leather until it feels right before the shave. Let the blade dry and then 20 or so on the linen. So far, I'm happy with the results. Please post criticisms.

What was the result of the experiment on stropping linked to earlier in this thread?

Richmondesi,

Tomorrow morning I'll shave at home for the first time this week and strop after the second pass — I usually go with three passes. I'll give you a report afterwards.

Regards,

Obie

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Originally Posted by Obie

Richmondesi,

Tomorrow morning I'll shave at home for the first time this week and strop after the second pass — I usually go with three passes. I'll give you a report afterwards.

Regards,

Obie

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Thanks, but there was an organized effort to shave with two identical straight razors, one stropping before and after each shave and one only stropping before. I never saw the results, but I would really like to know how that turned out.

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Originally Posted by Obie

Gentlemen,


I have heard differing views on the practice outside this forum, and in some writings by straight razor experts. I would like to hear from you, the masters. Thanks.

Regards,

Obie

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If you don't mind hearing the opinion someone who is definitely not a "master" I will answer. This question in itself is not going to get resoved for the simple reason in that there is a "Fin Theory" yet to be resolved by the masters. Some masters are of the mindset that an elusive fin exists on the end of the bevel. They say that a time period of at least 24 earth hours are needed for the fin to get back in shape. I don't know who as of yet has proved that the fin even exists much less that the metal memory is strong enough to make it happen. Yet many members agree that rotation of razors is better for them.
Other masters do not believe in the fin's existance at all. That would mean that there are other reasons to let the razor rest not at all related to the fin.
Pragmatism led me to tell my wife that the fin does exist and the resting period is much longer than 24 hours. That way I could justify all of the beautiful razors I play with.:)
Mike

Mike,

Thanks for your note. Say, I like that "Fin Theory" a lot. As I continue to rebuild my straight razor command, I am up to four lovely straights. I could talk about this theory to my wife and change the resting period to four days for each razor. Smart, eh? Which means I am definitely in need of a new razor — and I know exactly what I have in mind.

Knowing my beloved, though — who is 10 times smarter than I, and the more practical and logical of the two of us — she will flash a wise smile and nod, which always says to me, "Whatever . . ."

Regards,

Obie

Maybe the 'Fin theory' and razor resting was just a justification for satisfying RAD???!!!:p

Gentlemen,

Any theory and justification for one to lay hands on another straight razor sounds logical to me. I mean what could make more sense?

Obie

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Originally Posted by Obie

Mike,

Thanks for your note. Say, I like that "Fin Theory" a lot. As I continue to rebuild my straight razor command, I am up to four lovely straights. I could talk about this theory to my wife and change the resting period to four days for each razor. Smart, eh? Which means I am definitely in need of a new razor — and I know exactly what I have in mind.

Knowing my beloved, though — who is 10 times smarter than I, and the more practical and logical of the two of us — she will flash a wise smile and nod, which always says to me, "Whatever . . ."

Regards,

Obie

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Hehehe keep talking guys,gives me more leg room to haggle with my wife when my SR journey begins.

Don't know that I'm a "master" but I do strop after every shave. Been doing it a long time. No noticeable negative effect on shaving.

Besides, I'm a stropaholic. Can't strop enough...hic...