Thread: Less is More when stropping?

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I use 7. If that doesn't work I do about 3-4 on linen, and then 7 again. As with most straight issues though, in practice I am quite an anomoly from the pack.

I'm with you here. I think a lot of guys just like stropping for the ritual of it and rationalize that they're getting a better shave. I find that 3-4 laps on the linnen side, and 7-8 laps on the leather before the shave, and nothing after the shave is all I've ever needed to maintain an edge.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

As to never having to hone the razor with proper care, I would love to cry "BS" on that but honestly, I have yet to re-hone one of my personal edges, unless it was damaged in some way..... so for the last 2 1/2 years I would have to agree with it, even though I don't think it is true..

I'm starting to think that honing is something that should be done rarely if at all. Most of the times I had to hone a razor was either to restore an old one, or to undo the results of poor honing. My two everyday shavers haven't needed honing in years.

When I first started using a straight razor, I thought that many of the comfort issues would be fixed by more honing, but I came to realize that technique was the real problem. My blade was plenty sharp enough.

Originally Posted by HungeJ0e

2 1/2 years... not even back to a finishing stone for a touch-up?

- HJ

I think it bears mentioning here that Glen shaves a lot less surface area than most guys. He tends to wear at least the shadow of a normal beard and I would have to estimate he ends up shaving a little less than half his face and not the usual densest areas at that. Add in the number of razors in his rotation (what's the rotation up to glen? 14-21??) and you could go a long time between honing. To wit, if we are removing micro corrosion from the edge, a drier clime might lead to less as might having a bit more metal on the edge (ala taped honing jobs). The point is there are tons of factors in every aspect of this hobby and as Glen often so rightly points out, this necessitates.......wait for it.......

Experimentation.

Originally Posted by joesixpack

When I first started using a straight razor, I thought that many of the comfort issues would be fixed by more honing, but I came to realize that technique was the real problem. My blade was plenty sharp enough.

That's interesting. When I started to hone, I actively decided to avoid taking my razors back to the stones over and over, and give them a fair shot before putting it down to the edge and not me just having an off day.

Sometimes it's unavoidable, but I don't think any of mine have been back more than twice, and most of them have not been back at all.

I have personally found that the number of laps depends on the razor. I have some 1/4 grinds, with hard steel, that take a minimum of 70 and some hollows that are fine with 20. Stopping enough will make a shave smoother and the blade last longer between touch-ups.

later,
Richard

Originally Posted by sicboater

I think it bears mentioning here that Glen shaves a lot less surface area than most guys. He tends to wear at least the shadow of a normal beard and I would have to estimate he ends up shaving a little less than half his face and not the usual densest areas at that

Hehe BUT !!!! wait for it..... I also use the worst angles and technique there is, which is way harder on the razor.... I am not sure if you were watching when I actually shaved at the meet up but my WTG angles because of shaving around the beard are terrible....

Haven't you ever noticed that you very, very, rarely see posts or advice from me in the Shaving forum????

The other thing is I truly believe the the longer you go between using a razor, would increase the need for stropping, as the edge would have more time to collect the Micro-corrosion that is the real edge killer....

When reading vendor information you have to take it with a pinch of salt. Was it written by a technician or by a marketing man? Was it aimed at enthusiasts or the masses who just wanted a decent, quick shave? Is it written so the end user can get the best out of the product or so the vendor doesn't have to deal with returns following user error?

Less stropping = less chance of accidental damage = less grief for the vendors and manufacturers.

Claims of razors never needing honing = more sales.

Remember that in the good old days, there were pretty much no controls over the outrageous claims made in advertising.

I have yet to see a negative effect from overstropping.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Hehe BUT !!!! wait for it..... I also use the worst angles and technique there is, which is way harder on the razor....

Do I sense some pride in this statement?

Originally Posted by Hillie

Do I sense some pride in this statement?

Possibly there is a slight bit.....

Because of how and why I have used a straight razor for all these years, only one thing really matters to me, the razor always has to be at it's sharpest possible level....

This could very well be why I get so obsessed with keeping them at their absolute tops...

I have read in abject horror when people say that a razor can be too sharp, personally I can't see how this could ever be possible....

I have read when people say they concentrate on technique to work around not having a wicked sharp edge, I can't fathom that....

This is also why I can't understand why 10-20 seconds more on the strop to do the extra 20-30 laps to make sure the razor is at it's peak performance level could ever even be a question....

When I shave I want to barely touch my face with the edge, I want a feather light touch so that I have no irritation, I want to do a minimum number of passes so I have no irritation... I want to have to barely touch the lines of my beard and watch the errant hair just pop, so that the lines are as neat and straight as possible...

This is what I want and why I use a straight razor, and have used one since 1981.... How I get that, is to have the absolutely most wicked sharp edges I can possibly have in my hand, stropped to their most keen point, using the best lather and prep I can produce.....

When most of you get done shaving you stroke your face and feel for a nice smooth expanse of skin, me, I feel for the smooth of the cheeks, and then a sharp defined edge of my beard, that sharp edge is to me a perfect shave....

Originally Posted by Rajagra

I have yet to see a negative effect from overstropping.

I have seen plenty of posts where guys have ruined there edge due to stropping the more you strop the more opportunity for a mistroke.

Originally Posted by Rajagra

When reading vendor information you have to take it with a pinch of salt. Was it written by a technician or by a marketing man? Was it aimed at enthusiasts or the masses who just wanted a decent, quick shave? Is it written so the end user can get the best out of the product or so the vendor doesn't have to deal with returns following user error?

Less stropping = less chance of accidental damage = less grief for the vendors and manufacturers.

Claims of razors never needing honing = more sales.

Remember that in the good old days, there were pretty much no controls over the outrageous claims made in advertising.

I have yet to see a negative effect from overstropping.

This is a good thought. Perhaps IF 5-10 is enough, maybe we should be encouraging newbies that, in the beginning, 5-10 laps is plenty (less chance for error). Practice with an old blade or a butter knife, but protect the edge of your daily shaver with fewer laps. I know I ruined the edge of my first shaver because of my inexperience with a strop.

On another note. It is REALLY hard for me to just do 10 or so laps. Once the rhythm starts, it's hard to stop! There comes a point where I just get tired of it, but that is not until 20-30 laps.

Tod