Thread: Resting a blade before stropping after use?

Resting the blade will allow the edge to realign, the memory properties of carbon and stainless steels are well established. But, there is no need to do this if you strop after use (i.e. there will be no harm from not letting the blade rest), and the benefits, if any are slight. I do not strop after use, and my blades do get to rest for about a week between uses. It is true that I can skip stropping for one cycle if pressed, but I really do not do this. I do sometimes leave my strop at home for short trips, but even then, I do a few passes on the heal of my hand.

Urban Legend................

Sometimes I use the same razor for several days in a row. I always figured it to be rubbish, as barbers used to shave many people in a single day. They could not have used a different razor for each customer I'm sure, although I am aware some customers had their own razors. 7 day sets were a sign of wealth back in the day and the main benefit is it reduces need to hone.

Ironically, a major source for this idea is the Dovo website! They perpetuate the need for the steel to "rest." I'll hunt a link and post it, just for fun.

I also stropped my straight razors after every shave and they worked very well on all the next consecutive shaves. I also used one for 30 straight days and got all BBS shaves from it.

"Resting the razor" - Sounds like something the marketing departments came up with.

Pabster

Here's one quote I found that connects this advice to Dovo, though it isn't direct. Note I don't agree with this view, but I do enjoy tracking down the sources of ideas that float around:

"The strop should be used prior to shaving, and never- under any circumstance- after shaving. This is because after shaving the delicate cutting edge is kind of bent (not visible to the naked eye), and you would break tiny metal pieces out of the cutting edge. This would consequently lead to cuts in the skin. Many refer to this condition as a burr from misaligned micro-separations that occur when the razor is used, but will go back into position and become fine again after approx. 24 to 30 hours. Stropping just before use will further align the blade edge and put it in shave ready condition. In order to get the best daily shave with a straight razor DOVO even suggests an individual even consider having at least two straight razors on hand to fully allow time for the blade edge to rest between shaves for optimal performance."

Here's the link

I've used a lot of scary-sharp leatherworking tools that I've stropped during use so I was skeptical of the admonition to let the blade rest. But what the heck, I did it anyway...at least for 24 hours. I shave most days (with the occasional day off) and my routine is to strop immediately prior to shaving and not afterwards. I can't say that my blades or my shaves have ever suffered for it.