Thread: Stropping after shaving ... or not ? ... But why ?

Hi all,


so I'm confused by few (seemingly) contradictory information/advices.

Stropping after shaving would be:
1) GOOD: because it would (help) dry the razor, and in particular its edge, thus reducing the risk of rusting.
2) BAD: because the edge needs to 'rest' and some 'stuff' (sorry don't remember what) need to re-align themself naturally with time.
3) BAD: because doing so would (by some unclear process) deposit some dirt, metal, or scraps... onto the strop.

However, I've also read that #2 or #3 would be myths propagated by ignorant people (a bit like me ).

So my questions are:
- what are the actual real advantages of stropping after shaving? Why / How?
- what are the actual real drawbacks or risks of stropping after shaving? Why / How?
- what do you do/suggest?


Thank you
Christophe

This is one of those questions that boils down to YMMV. Some strop after to dry. Some don't. I fall into the camp that doesn't. No real reason, just prefer to let mine air dry. That way I can be certain that the scales are dry as well as the edge before I put it away.

The only bad is if you suck at stropping

I strop before each shave. Gives me something to do while the pre-shave oil sets in and while my brush soaks in hot water....

I strop afterwards to remove any residue from the shave, that might remain on the edge. Then a clean coat of mineral oil is applied.

Hello, christophe,
I always strop before the shave, but find no need to strop after. I clean and dry the razor thoroughly and then oil it before it goes in the rack.

Don't you just hand strop it on your palm? Cleans and oils it.

I strop 10/10 (linen/leather) after shaving. I never used to, but then I read about it here and decided to give it a whirl. As far as I could tell, the razor certainly looked cleaner after I did this. I always dry it (wipe it on a towel) of course before doing so. Then after stropping I always wipe it down with Eucalyptus oil. I guess, technically, there's a pay off between a clean and dry strop and a clean and dry razor. I'd go for the clean and dry razor; I can replace my strop pretty easily, but I'd find it hard to part with any of my razors, they each mean more to me than my strop...

I find stropping in the morning (30/70) gives time for my shave cream or soap to 'soak in' and I like having to force myself to fully concentrate on this task; it's a meditative thing...

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I strop 10/10 (linen/leather) after shaving. I never used to, but then I read about it here and decided to give it a whirl. As far as I could tell, the razor certainly looked cleaner after I did this. I always dry it (wipe it on a towel) of course before doing so. Then after stropping I always wipe it down with Eucalyptus oil. I guess, technically, there's a pay off between a clean and dry strop and a clean and dry razor. I'd go for the clean and dry razor; I can replace my strop pretty easily, but I'd find it hard to part with any of my razors, they each mean more to me than my strop...

I find stropping in the morning (30/70) gives time for my shave cream or soap to 'soak in' and I like having to force myself to fully concentrate on this task; it's a meditative thing...

Well, Carl... I'm afraid of things I don't understand, so before my razor starts to grow on me I strop it down after my shave... I can hear it squeeking so I hit it a couple of times on my 8k norton.

Before I pick it up again - the next day - I smack it down on the felt for 20 strokes... then give it 30 on the leather... shave with it... then give it 30 on the felt before it grows.

We have to stay vigilant... before our blades grow out of our control...

Man... this is like too much work...

....

I strop prior to shaving. After I'm finished, and the blade is wiped down, It sits out, opened, on a paper towel to air dry. The next day I wipe it down with a silicone treated cloth and put it away, or back in rotation.

Can you strop after shaving, sure, why not. Is it necessary, no. It's your call. Personal preference.