Thread: Pre Stropping

Originally Posted by Berthold

"..... the strop's main role is to maintain the edge free of oxidation. That's what dulls the edge...."

Very good. Sounds like some stropping before a shave is in order.

Yes, for me it seems right before the shave would be better; to ensure no oxidisation at all. Of course there's probably a lot of variables, a key one being humidity and also storage (i.e. pre-storage prep). I always use eucalyptus oil. A couple of hours may make no discernible difference...

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I always use eucalyptus oil.

You use Eucalyptus oil? That's so like you! (Sincere comment/ not baiting). I guess you would be able to smell it through the shave too? I might try it, but does it stop rust? I know it cleans toilets, etc.

I strop immediately after, and not before. I'm not sure if it is so, but I'd swear the edge feels better for me. Could be I just wasn't drying them properly before.

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

You use Eucalyptus oil? That's so like you! (Sincere comment/ not baiting). I guess you would be able to smell it through the shave too? I might try it, but does it stop rust? I know it cleans toilets, etc.

I strop immediately after, and not before. I'm not sure if it is so, but I'd swear the edge feels better for me. Could be I just wasn't drying them properly before.

Thank you. No, the smell has word off before the shave; plus I do 30/70 on the strop so it's pretty clean. I always do 10/10 post shave before the oil.

It's a very very light oil, but I find it enough. It's also a disinfectant. The razors are stored in two three razor cases on my desk in my bedroom; never in the bathroom (too moist).

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

You use Eucalyptus oil? That's so like you! (Sincere comment/ not baiting). I guess you would be able to smell it through the shave too? I might try it, but does it stop rust? I know it cleans toilets, etc.

I strop immediately after, and not before. I'm not sure if it is so, but I'd swear the edge feels better for me. Could be I just wasn't drying them properly before.

i read a thread a while ago that talked about exactly this, the theory is that stropping a razor and letting it rest improves the shave, there were a few different theories as to why, and people who argued both sides and also said it made no difference, what works for you I suppose.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

i read a thread a while ago that talked about exactly this, the theory is that stropping a razor and letting it rest improves the shave, there were a few different theories as to why, and people who argued both sides and also said it made no difference, what works for you I suppose.

For a long time I stropped before, but after reading a few old books on it, I noticed they always said to strop after. I often listen to the advice of ancient folk, except when they recommend things like painting fingernails with radium and such, but we won't worry about that one just now, and I found it was better for me.

Not sure about this whole resting the steel thing. Does steel even know it's being used?

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

For a long time I stropped before, but after reading a few old books on it, I noticed they always said to strop after. I often listen to the advice of ancient folk, except when they recommend things like painting fingernails with radium and such, but we won't worry about that one just now, and I found it was better for me.

Not sure about this whole resting the steel thing. Does steel even know it's being used?

The debate will, I think, continue adinfinitum. The writers of the old books maybe did not have access to electron microscopes. I'm, pretty sure there's threads here with photos that show clear evidence of what stropping physically does to the edge. However, just because you see a particular thing has happened to the edge; doesn't mean that's beneficial. It's what it performs like and FEELS like that's important.

Have the shaved using a freshly honed razor? It's not that bad, different; hard to explain.

I think the 'removing the micro corrosion on the edge' theory works well for me, and is supported by electron microscope photos, as far as I remember, I try not to get too torn up about it, because:

The law the lawyers know about

The law the lawyers know about
Is property and land;
But why the leaves are on the trees,
And why the winds disturb the seas,
Why honey is the food of bees,
Why horses have such tender knees,
Why winters come and rivers freeze,
Why faith is more than what one sees,
And hope survives the worst disease,
And charity is more than these,
And stropping works (at least it seems),
They do not understand.

Apologies to H. D. C. Pepler

(second to last line added by me :-)

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

I often listen to the advice of ancient folk

do you listen to the advice of carl then? Oh, actually you wouldnt be able too, to give advice you have to have made up your mind. :-)

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

For a long time I stropped before, but after reading a few old books on it, I noticed they always said to strop after. I often listen to the advice of ancient folk, except when they recommend things like painting fingernails with radium and such, but we won't worry about that one just now, and I found it was better for me.

Not sure about this whole resting the steel thing. Does steel even know it's being used?

This thread talks about an easy stropping routine, thats seems to work really good! :http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...ca-1841-a.html

I strop before I shave on weekends. However, on weekdays I strop at night to save time in the morning. I've never noticed a difference in the shave.

I shave in the evening and during the day I'll strop the razor for 2 or 3 sessions. That way it gets 100-150 strops before the shave. Maybe this is overkill, but I always get good shaves.