Thread: Is "Resting a blade" complete bull?

Another newbie question. I have read that a straight razor should not be stropped after being used for at least 24 hours to allow the blade to relax and straighten. Is this an old wives tale or is there any sort of truth to this?

Im no expert, but can't see how it would help (the resting that is, I can see the argument re stropping, to dry the edge etc). It's metal after all, unlike a pair of leather shoes.

There is some actual scientific basis for Metal plasticity and that "Resting" the steel would actually make sense, but then again most myths have some distant basis in fact

Originally Posted by gssixgun

There is some actual scientific basis for Metal plasticity and that "Resting" the steel would actually make sense, but then again most myths have some distant basis in fact

Thats interesting, how does that work Glen? I tend to use the WB Anchor you restored for me most of the time as it's my best shaver and I love the matching brush, should I try not to use it 2 days in a row?

Originally Posted by gssixgun

There is some actual scientific basis for Metal plasticity and that "Resting" the steel would actually make sense, but then again most myths have some distant basis in fact

So that is a definite maybe I take it.

Bob

If this is in fact true, it means that you might be doing your razor an injustice to shave twice a day. I can live with that!

LOL - it was explained to me once that a razor needs to, "fin" for 24 hours.

The analogy was to a fin on a fish, that after a shave the fin wasn't straight, and needed to return to a healthy state. Who knows?

From an old thread here and a quote from the Dovo factory:

"DOVO straight razors are whetted in the factory for use (whetting on leather by hand). If you own a suitable strop, you should nevertheless take into account that the razor must first "rest" after use. After the razor has been carefully rinsed and dried, it should not be used again for at least 24 - 48 hours because the fine "fin" on the cutting edge straightens up again extremely slowly. If the razor is stropped too soon (or stropped incorrectly by moving it backwards and forwards without turning it over), the "fin" which is necessary for a close shave breaks off. Between six and fifteen shaves are possible without stropping in between."

Yes, it's true, your razor needs to rest between shaves. How much rest each razor needs is the question.

A custom razor from Max Sprecher or Charlie Lewis needs only 4 hours of sleep. They are young & vibrant razors; so by the time your next shave comes around, they are ready to go,,, in other words you can shave everyday with them.

If it's a factory razor like Dovo or Thiers-Issard, then they need more rest,,, they need a good 12 hours of sleep.

If it's a vintage Wade & Butcher over 100 years old, then it needs a good 2 days of rest; think about it, would you ask your grandfather to mow the grass every other day? No, of course not.

So this would suggest that stropping after a shave is not recommended?

Of course you strop after a shave, it's like a massage before you go to sleep,,,,