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

Originally Posted by sharptonn

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

Attachment 194970

I am speechless, almost. On second thought...oh never mind. I have to go put my razor to bed.

Originally Posted by wildfirejoe00

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.

What rubbish. Grow up.

Neil

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

We are evidently talking about different things.


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...

Neil, While you're there ask the storeman for a long weight and some sky hooks.

Originally Posted by UKRob

Neil, While you're there ask the storeman for a long weight and some sky hooks.

They have been added to todays list Rob, along with four candles and some 'ose. Unfortunately I lost the spare spirit level bubbles by the time I got back last night...

Regards, Neil

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

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

I agree about quasi experts, many turners among them, I fear.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

On this note, I recently was fortunate enough to acquire a really pristine Nowill razor. Rolled-up in the box was this pamphlet from 1913. Advise from J. Nowill and Sons!

Sadly, this sage advice almost immediately became obsolete when, on Aug 13th, 1913, arrived the invention of stainless steel by Harry Brearley, Sheffield, England. Three cheers for the english, please. Huzzah, huzzah, huzzah. Can you imagine what Isambard Kingdom Brunel would have done with stainless steel? He might have invented a stropless razor.

Originally Posted by MisterMoo

Sadly, this sage advice almost immediately became obsolete when, on Aug 13th, 1913, arrived the invention of stainless steel by Harry Brearley, Sheffield, England. Three cheers for the english, please. Huzzah, huzzah, huzzah. Can you imagine what Isambard Kingdom Brunel would have done with stainless steel? He might have invented a stropless razor.

Almost....

The first stainless was made, but it only sold to cutlery makers. There was some interest in the straight razor world, but early experimental pieces were not promising, especially as HB had been branded as the maker of the knife that would not cut. War stopped play, but by 1916 HB had reformulated the alloy and taken out patents.

Regards,
Neil

Sharptonn: Well said. I am under no illusion that I know more than Neil about anything, paticularly this subject. I am not an "expert" in anything. This thread turned vitriolic when I asked a sincere question about "resting" the edge. I wasn't giving advice, I asked a question after recalling an article that I had read a while back written by a metallurgist concerning "his" findings on "resting" the edge. Then the childish insults started about "resting" the edge, putting th razor to bed, etc.. I apoligize for my part in the negativity posted here, I just hope that a new member to this site posting his first question with trepidation of asking a "dumb question" never gets a reception like this. Again my apologies, particularly to Neil.

Originally Posted by UKRob

Neil, While you're there ask the storeman for a long weight and some sky hooks.

Don't forget 3 cans of Tartan paint.

Originally Posted by lz6

Don't forget 3 cans of Tartan paint.

And that do-hicky that's needed to fix all those whatchamacallits that are so old even the old timers can't remember their true name (but they would never admit it).