Thread: Simple question about stropping.

I know that stropping is performed before you shave, but I'm just curious...is it the same as stropping before hand?

Example : I finish a nice SR shave on Monday. Monday night, I've got a few minutes to spare, so I decide to strop it for Wednesdays shave.

In the above example, I've stropped it ahead of time. Will this be just as effective, or does it have to be just before the shave?

It should be just as effective if you strop it after you shave, for the next shave. After all, when you get a razor professionally honed, they will usually strop it before they send it, and you're suppose to shave with it as it comes.

I thought the exact same thing, but just wanted to confirm.

I don't like to right before I shave. I prefer to strop whenever I have free time. I don't like to stand there and strop, and then shave. Call me finicky, but I'd rather just get my shave, clean up and go.

However, there is the theory that the reason we strop right before shaving is that the very fine edge of the blade, on a microscopic level, is actually oxidizing/corroding as the blade is exposed to air. Therefore, by stropping before the shave, you are "sharpening" or polishing this corrosion off the very edge.

More info:
Popular Science - Google Books

It will probably be OK however just prior is better. What you should be doing is lather up and then strop. That way the lather has more time to help your beard soften up.