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

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

We are evidently talking about different things.

I too respect a well honed craftsman who is exceptionally good at his job.

But say he was a crass dry-stone waller - I wouldn't listen to his theories about talking stones, stone spirits, kobolds and elves any more than you would - because doing his job well is one thing and folklore is another.

I hope you finally get the point.

Neil

Now I have to go - I am a junior in a machinists shop and they have asked me to go and get a spare bubble for the spirit level and a packet of elbow grease. I don't know, these old duffers'll lose anything...

As always Neil,I very Rarely understand what you are talking about,have a nice day

Just got home from work Neil and Wow! Really got under your skin! Sorry if your self-esteem took a hit. I would like to touch on just a few points. First, as much as a layman, i.e., myself, can grasp Plastic Flow Theory, I had it explained to me by a friend who is a tenured Professor at a local University. What does he teach - metallurgy, at the graduate level. Second, my "friend", as you referred to the author of the article I mentioned, is not my friend, probably would be if I ever met him, but I haven't. He performs metallurgy research/experiments at a university. Neil, do you really believe that you have anything to offer him about methodology? Tell him your Groucho joke instead. At least you'll make him laugh and it won't be at your expense. Your crack about the machinists; not good Neil. Why does a machinist need to know the science of metallurgy to be a great machinist? He knows, because he was educated to do so, that waiting 24 hrs. is the correct way to do it. He doesn't need to be able to explain the science behind it. Cheap shot Neil. Really dumb question. I imagine in your mind you're smarter than the professor teaching graduate level classes in metallurgy, and the other fellow who is a university research fellow that wrote the article I referred to above; that's okay with me as long as you're happy. Oh one other thing - it doesn't matter whether you can "feel" the difference, it is whether the science behind it is correct and whether stropping before and after the shave is beneficial to the edge. Just remember Neil, this straight razor thing is just a hobby for most of us. I think for you it's a bit more. I did enjoy reading your post. Cheers, Joe P.S. The alien insult thing, that one has been way overused. I'll give you the last word.

Unsubribed from this thread,to many endall/beall so called Quasi experts here.

Let's keep it friendly guys. It is just a shaving forum.... no nuclear weapons being developed here.

Hitting the 'enter' key (A.K.A. the 'return key') every so often breaks up the text and makes it easier to read longer posts. Just saying .......

I almost feel like I should apologize for what happened here.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Let's keep it friendly guys. It is just a shaving forum.... no nuclear weapons being developed here.

Hitting the 'enter' key (A.K.A. the 'return key') every so often breaks up the text and makes it easier to read longer posts. Just saying .......

Well-said, Jimmy! (as usual!)
What Wildfirejoe and Pixel are missing is this, IMO.

Neil Miller is a highly intelligent individual. Well-learned and to the vast extent, I have observed, self-educated by much hard work into the written word. Not speaking Google here.

He not only has impeccable punctuation (usually! ), but is more-read than I suspect any one of us is. Furthermore, he is a razor fiend as we all are. In his country, the written word gleans the history of metallurgy and, among a myriad of other things, open razors. Modern experts spew forth many newly discovered secrets and miracles, it would astound most here to know these things were also done long ago in, sometimes, more accurate and well-documented procedures. Neil has studied these things and knows that claims are just what they are. Claims. Experts and adverts have made claims forever.

Let's not discount the word of those who know history and especially that which pertains to razors. The olden days of straight razors lasted for hundreds of years. Today's fad is but decades. Too often we repeat words of others in our razor references. These words should be as in stone. Substantiated by reputation first. Mine come from people like Neil and my astute friends here. Neil has gleaned a trove of knowledge by digging the old-fashioned way. He has a true love of research and victory in the pursuit. He has forgotten more about razors than we should ever know, I am afraid!

Finally in this blushing tribute to the old crass bastard, I feel we are fortunate to be able to banter with him(although I gave that up long ago).

Understanding English humor and wit is also helpful!

Point is: Joe and Bill, Neil is your friend. Our friend. With him, it's a jolly old tyme, or be damned!
Get it on!

Originally Posted by Augustagj

I almost feel like I should apologize for what happened here.

No worries! You are part of the mayhem!

So this guy walks into a barbershop.......

And now a word from the Poet Laureate of the 20th century (AT LEAST IN MY OPINION!!!...)

ROBERT ZIMMERMAN aka BOB DYLAN:

"It’s a restless hungry feeling
That don’t mean no one no good
When ev’rything I’m a-sayin’
You can say it just as good.
You’re right from your side
I’m right from mine
We’re both just one too many mornings
An’ a thousand miles behind"

Originally Posted by WW243

So this guy walks into a barbershop.......

Did I mention I have my own barbershop? I thought I may have covered everything!