Thread: strop routine before or after or both

Pre-shave: 60 on polywebbing and then 60 on leather.
Post-shave: 10 laps on polywebbing to dry off edge and clean off any particles.

I'm not sure of the leather type of my strop, but it's a "Jemico" strop ~2 1/2", with a raised nap on the "rough" side. On this stop, I don't actually use the smooth side. I just strop 60 laps on the side with the raised nap. For some reason, the raised rough fiber really seems to calm the edge to my liking, when I stop correctly.

I used to dry with tissue and leave the razor out to completely dry, before stowing and would get water spots in my blades. Now strop before, strop after, clean/dry with tissue and put it away. No water spots in a month or two.

I always rinse my blade in hottest water, pointed down, and pick up the dry backside of the towel and wipe the blade longitudinally while avoiding the edge. I then strop it on the towel to clean the edge . Rising in very hot water warms the blade, and all seems evaporated as before storing. Strop 20/40 the next day, blade closed. Up for next stropping, Twice the stropping job, shave... Then, it's twice the regimen before shaving with it again!

We must understand that water is not the same everywhere, so water spots could occur most anywhere with any water. I think best to dry well after shaving and store dry. YMMV

Gentlemen,

For me, every element of the traditional shave with the straight razor holds its distinct pleasure. And I give each its proper due. Stropping is not only a must for the straight razor shaver — proper stropping, I might add — but for me, it is also relaxing and therapeutic.

Before every shave, I usually strop 30 strokes on linen and 60 on leather. Depending on my mood, and also the type of strop and razor, I vary the ratio 25/50, 30/90, 50/100, and so on. When stropping on the Kanayama, Neil Miller or Tolorf, the number on the leather increases dramatically. Since I use only about six to eight inches in length on the strop — rather than the full length of the strop — this gives me a jolly excuse to practice my zen with additional strokes on the strop.

After the shave, the blade is rinsed thoroughly under hot water, dried thoroughly with cloth and tissue and then stropped five to 10 strokes each on linen and leather. This is only for the purpose of the final cleaning and drying of the blade, that's all. After a touch of camellia oil or Ballistol on the blade, the razor goes in the rack to be used either the next day, depending on the mood, or another time.

All this may sound like a lot of hoopla, but for me, that's part of the ritual — the romance of straight razor shaving.

I do leather before and hemp and leather after. I've always liked the idea that the razor picked up a little oil from the strop on the post shave session.

I only strop after shave, never pre shave

I strop after the morning shave at some point during the day or evening when I have a free moment.
25 on cloth , 50 on leather.

Pete <:-}

I let my razor rest, but only because my comb and my toothbrush insist on equal treatment. I think it's a Union thing.

Originally Posted by Obie

.....All this may sound like a lot of hoopla, but for me, that's part of the ritual — the romance of straight razor shaving.

Not a hint of hoopla in your routine Obie. My technique isn't as refined as yours so I don't vary the ratio as you do. I am pretty ritualistic and rigid. I also skip the oil these days on anything that is not going into to storage. All of my straights are stored in lined draw with a few Silica Gel packets buried in the back, so I don't have concern or issue with moisture.

I do strop for the want as much as the need. If there is something called 'over stropping' I could be guilty. It's as much about the sensory rich experience as it is about maintaining the edge.

Before: 40 cotton/linen 80 leather


After: 20 cotton/linen 20 leather then leave it in the den until I get home from work. Oil then back in the box.