When the edge rolls during a shave, is it better to strop it or get a backup razor?

Sometimes halfway during a shave, I notice that the razor starts performing much better on one side than the other, and I know this is because the edge rolls. I can take turns shaving with my right hand and then the left, or curiously enough, if I wait a few hours the edge "resets" itself and the razor performs excellent on both sides again. This is a very strange phenomenon I've noticed. Anyone else ever notice this?

Since I really dislike taking turns using one side of the blade and then the next (I like to shave with only my right hand), and waiting 8 hours to finish the other side of my face is not practical, I was wondering if it would be better to re-strop the razor, or get some backup blades. Any opinions?

I guess you'd have to define "better". I would recommend a back-up blade. I too find that blades reset a little without stropping.

I would personally try and solve the problem with a strop. I'd suggest that is what it is for. Some days I have to rehone though, but I often use too much pressure stropping.

That is a new one on me. I haven't heard of anything like that before. :shrug: With me a razor is either sharp enough or it is not. Once sharp enough it stays sharp until it begins a gradual decline. Then I put it in the to do pile. For me stropping is always a given on any razor before and after the shave. A back up or 2 is definitely recommended.

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

That is a new one on me. I haven't heard of anything like that before. :shrug: With me a razor is either sharp enough or it is not. Once sharp enough it stays sharp until it begins a gradual decline. Then I put it in the to do pile. For me stropping is always a given on any razor before and after the shave. A back up or 2 is definitely recommended.

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Thanks for the heads up.

It's always "sharp enough" to shave even with a rolled edge, yet one side develops some pull while the other side can shave through the toughest, thickest hairs effortlessly with zero resistance. Whereas at the start of the shave, both sides perform superb instead of just one side. I want the maximum performance which is what makes me love straight shaving.

I've heard that even ceramic blades develop rolled edges, and ceramic is harder than any steel, so I don't feel the steel of the razor as at fault.

I've seen razors where one sided performs differently than the other but that's usually because the honer didn't hone both sides equally. Otherwise no, I haven't seen what you describe.

I don't see how that is possible. My guess is that your angles are varying.

I would have to agree with Kelbro on that one, or it has a need for a re-hone to correct whatever mistake was made originally....