Thread: How soon after a shave to give the razor its full stropping?

As ya'll can tell by my member date, I'm new to the forum...and 'kinda' new to straight razoring.

I can tell you this from going to my Father's barber shop, when I was just a wee-lad. Every morning when he arrived at the shop, he would strop each of his razors a LOT. No, I didn't count, but it was a LOT. Then directly before each shave, he would strop it a bit. A bit being, maybe 15-20 passes. Even before the 1st customer, he would hit the strop 15-20 passes, even through he JUST did it before he unlocked the door and turn the 'pole' on. I'm sure it was more of habit than anything else. While the warm towel was on, he'd strop. Then lather, then shave. Never stropping during or after. But, ALWAYS before.

This was in the early '70's and his shop was near downtown and most of his customers were businessmen. Monday morning's, early morning's(5am-7am) were his busiest, from what I can remember, for shaves. Then they dwindled throughout the week, with Friday's the slowest for shaves, but busiest for non-businessmen (aka the Working Man) cuts. ((Dad said it was because the business men wanted to impress their bosses on Monday. Then started giving less a dang throughout the week. Whereas, the workin' man wanted to look right and tight for the weekend.)

So, I would 'assume' it would make no difference at all when the stropping happens. So long as it DOES happen. And as to if any 'damage' or anything else as to when to strop. I would say, there is none. Because, I can guarantee Dad's shaved more customers on Monday mornings than most of us will shave in 2 weeks worth. And, yes, he did have more than 1 razor, of course. Although, the 'main' blade for shaving was used on every customer that day. The bulk, if you will, with the smaller/thinner blades for trim work. But, the bulk of ones stubble was removed with the same blade (one of the 2 W&B's that are now in my bathroom.

After a shave, I rinse the razor in 91% rubbing alcohol, air dry, strop, then apply Ballistol.