Thread: How many times do you strop?

I should let you know it is extra hollow ground.I'm considering a full hollow.

All things being equal I think the EXTRA hollow edges may have a more delicate, but very sharp, fin-like edge that may be more subject to deformation during the shave. I have one where my very thick chin area will send it to the strop by the third pass. I have several half, full and extra hollow types. I would say that my anecdotal experience possibly supports your hypothesis. The Rockwell hardness, rarely specified, for carbon or stainless is also a variable. I have some stainless razors that seem to have "eternal life" when compared to some of my carbon blades. BUT - I have some very fine carbon blades that are just as tough. Before you give-up on the extra hollow make sure that it has been professionally honed and that you have given yourself enough experience (~100 shaves) to further eliminate the experience factor. Lastly, there are some men with such tough beards that I would not disagree that a stropping between passes ~20-30 laps may be necessary. Hang in there and don't give up.

50 laps on leather before the shave, and 25 after the shave.

60-80 pre-shave

I don't count anymore. I go by feel and sound.

20-30 post-shave to clean the blade and get a head start on the next shave.

Generally I do 50/50 before the shave but occassionally 25/25. I really should get in the habit of some stropping after the shave but have never been very inclined to do so. I keep my blade's exposure to water to a minimum and wipe my lather off on a lightly moistened sponge. After the shave I simply dry off the blade with a towel and secure the razor. In my experience, if 50/50 on the strop doesn't get you where you want to be, additional stropping is probably academic. A touch up hone is required to bring the edge back.

Lynn honed it so I know the edge is good.I'm not giving up told my self this is the year that I never buy another pack of de blades again!

I strop about 30/50, but I never stropped afterwards. Just wiped it down with a microfiber cloth. I suppose it would be better for the blade to store it nice and shaped up.

20 on leather before shaving and about 20 after shaving. Sometimes I use linen, but most times I don't. My beard is fairly heavy, but this is enough for my.

Before:
25 Poly Web
50 - 75 Leather

After shave
25 Poly Web
25 Leather

I started to say maybe the razor is not sharp enough, because I have had the same problem. But since Lynn honed it, The edge is good. Gamma ray is right, it may be an experience factor. Don't give up!