Thread: Why do they recommend using the Strop after shaving and before shaving?

We all seem to settle in to some routine that works for us.
And your local conditions (humidity for instance) can have some impact on post shave care.

Me? Before is 20 Fabric, 60 leather, after is 20/20.
But I also put a tiny drop of oil and distribute over the blade before I put it up (I wipe that off before I strop)

Nobody wants to shave with a rusty razor...I'm just saying'

Smooth Shaving...

I tested this a while back. Two weeks with the same razor every day then two weeks resting the razor. As long as the preshave strop is good you will be ok. I found no benefit to stropping or not stropping after shaving.

I stored the razor in a humid bathroom during the test. I do dry the razor well with a micro fiber towel after shaving.

After this test I stopped stropping after the shave finding no real gain, I have however as of late, found I enjoy stropping after the shave and now do 20 on wool after the blade has been dried.

Letting the edge rest? Geez, about as much mileage in that as the tooth fairy and santa claus.

Regards,
Neil

Once I woke up one of my razors before it was fully rested and it screamed the entire time I shaved with it. YMMV

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

Letting the edge rest? Geez, about as much mileage in that as the tooth fairy and santa claus.

Regards,
Neil

Originally Posted by WW243

Once I woke up one of my razors before it was fully rested and it screamed the entire time I shaved with it. YMMV

That's nothing Bill - I have to keep my very large collection in a sound-proofed room, as the snoring kept my wife and me awake of a night-time.

Regards,
Neil.

PS: I also have a humungous collection of seashells... say, you might have seen them? I keep them strewn on the beaches of the world....

I give mine 10 laps linen/10 laps leather after shaving to make sure the edge is dry

Originally Posted by WW243

Once I woke up one of my razors before it was fully rested and it screamed the entire time I shaved with it. YMMV

Just a thought - it didn't have eyes and could see what it was shaving, did it Bill?

Regards,
Neil

I've been wondering who put those in my sand collections............lol

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

PS: I also have a humungous collection of seashells... say, you might have seen them? I keep them strewn on the beaches of the world....

Seriously, after wiping down and leaving to air in a warm place, blade open, for twenty or thirty minutes I give mine 20 laps on a cotton-canvas strop after shaving to dry it thoroughly, and a few laps on an oily strop I have to coat the bevel.

Overkill, I know, but if you have ever opened a razor to find tell-tale creeping lines of rust on it that you put away a while back, you will know why I do it.

Regards,
Neil

Originally Posted by rodb

I've been wondering who put those in my sand collections............lol

Well Rod, a lot of folk have told me that you 'have a lot of sand' - now I know what they mean!

Regards,
Neil